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Montrose 0-2 Inverness CT - League 1

And that's a wrap
 
The final game of the season was at Links Park, Montrose, with both sides already assured of their League1 status for next season. Scott Kellacher went with the strongest starting XI available with Dibaga, MacKinnon and Strachan missing out and Marcus Gill helping out between the sticks with MacLeod and Nolan outfield. Stewart Petrie had maybe rested a couple of starters with Cammy Gill, Lyons, Dillon and Wighton on the bench but the Gudgie started as did Matheus Machado. Inverness ended the season on a high after dominating Montrose at Links Park. Paul Allan on the break and Billy Mckay after an hour did the damage in a game dominated by the Caley Jags.
What an ending to a turbulent season.
And that's a wrap

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Action in the Montrose goalmouth in the first minute as Paul Allan brought out a save from Ross Mathews in goal as he kept out Allan's goalbound effort. Billy Mckay missed the target five minutes later after connecting with a cross and Graham Webster was denied by Marcus Gill as the hosts hit back and Aidan Quinn had an early effort blocked. Fifteen minutes in and Allan was one on one with Mathews, alas it was the keeper that prevailed. Keith Bray saw a shot blocked as the visitors kept the pressure on the home defence and a couple of minutes later he was denied by Mathews and had another go blocked as well. Sir Lancelot tried his luck from a tight angle but Gill stood firm. Allan was once more thwarted by Mathews and as the game went to the other end, an Owen Stirton shot was blocked. However, it was the visitors who were looking most likely to open the scoring. News coming in near half time was that Kelty were cruising two up on Alloa, thus ring fencing sixth leaving Montrose and Inverness to battle it out for seventh and eighth. Defences were on top at Links Park though and Pollard and Mckay were next to get shots away at either end of the park without troubling the keepers. Just on the interval Gill saved high from Quinn and Machado fired over, but moments later Paul Allan opened the scoring from close range in time added on. Goal stemmed from Billy Mckay’s ball that found Allan in the box and he knocked it into the net! That ended a frantic first half that the visitors had dominated without threatening to run away with the game.
HALF TIME: 0-1
Alloa had pulled a goal back just before half time, so sixth place was back on should they draw level with Kelty. With that in mind the Caley Jags laid siege to the home goal with Alfie Stewart and Keith Bray going close as the corner count mounted. Ben Brannan was next to have a go with Mathews up to the task once more. Montrose subbed the Gudgie off but the shooting practice continued with MacLeod and Bray having a go. Would this profligacy come back to bite us on the rrrs? Not now as Billy Mckay scored his third in three when he shot home from outside the box. Great end to the season for Billy. The procession didn't stop there though as Paul Allan and Callum MacLeod fired goalwards. Everyone and their dog were now having a go with Danny Devine and Robbie Thompson next in line. Marcus Gill saved well from Webster as Montrose tried to grab a consolation. As it was, we ended on a high.
Well done Kells and the boys. What a season, for many different reasons.
FULL TIME: 0-2
 
 
Fabulous end to the season for Inverness and Billy Mckay
We fell just short of sixth as Alloa failed to take a point off Kelty.
More match reaction to follow.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:  03/05/2025  Venue: Links Park, Montrose Attendance: 1018 Referee: Colin Whyte 
 
Montrose: 0
Manager: Stewart Petrie Lineup:  Mathews; Williamson (Brown 75), Quinn (Dillon 57), Watson (Masson 70), Freeman,  Bertie, Gardyne (Sandilands 57), Machado, Webster, Pollard (Wighton 75), Stirton, Subs (not used):  Gill; Redwood, Martin, Lyons Scorers: none Booked: Machado (41) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 2
Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup:  Gill; Brannan, Devine (J Walker 81), Savage, Nolan, Bray (Longstaff 64), Gilmour, Allan (Keogh 81), MacLeod, Stewart (R Thompson 74), B Mckay (Cairns 64) Subs (not used): Rebilas; Ewan, Gardiner Scorers: Allan (45+2), B Mckay (61) Booked: none Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2024-25 ·

Montrose -V- Inverness CT - League1 - Preview

And Relax!
 
We have all been on the emotional rollercoaster in a turbulent season that saw us go from potential promotion candidates to administration casualties, relegation favourites, possible liquidation fatalities before we pulled through with Scott Kellacher lifting the spirits sufficiently to enable us to retain our League1 status as Alan Salvage dug deep to stabilise our off-field activities and leave us all with fresh hope and a renewed vigour for next season. Aaaaand breathe! For the first time this season we can relax. Relax in the knowledge that Scot Gardiner is gone, Duncan Ferguson and his Duncball tactic is a fading memory, Bar94 is thriving thanks to the Supporters Trust, the ladies toilets are working again, the feelgood factor is back and Administration is on the verge of departure. 
Enjoy Montrose away, for the pressure is off and it's time to rejoice in our new found joy. The joy of having a football club to support and one that will rise again from the burning embers of near extinction. Mon the Caley Jags.
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Match/Ticket/Supporters Bus/Info
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Final quarter of the season: W L  D L  W L  D W ?  
Let's forget the rest of the season: Despite injuries, suspensions and administration taking it's toll on the squad we dug deep with a superb penultimate game win over the Smokies. The last phase shows we only had three wins, but all were emphatic and vital. A 4-1 win in the re-arranged game at home to Stenhousemuir and a brilliant 3-0 win at Cove plus last weeks superb performance against Arbroath. A disappointing home defeat to Annan was followed by another disappointing home draw against Alloa. It got worse the week after as QotS battered us 4-1 and following the win at Cove, Kelty dumped us 0-2 in the Highlands, that was another three points that went abegging. We almost pulled off a good result away to Stenhousemuir after the Kelty game but a 91st minute own goal left us with just a point after Billy Mckay had scored his first goal for three months, but what a strike it was, earlier in the second half. Them's the breaks, as disappointing as they are. With three minutes to go, we were sitting in 7th place in the table until Montrose equalised against Dumbarton and Stenny levelled with us. We did get up to eighth in the table last week though after a swashbuckling performance in a 3-0 win over Arbroath and that is the one that makes the final game against Montrose more relaxed with safety guaranteed. Billy Mckay with another stunning strike along with goals from Keith Bray and a Paul Allan penalty dribbling over the line. Waaahayyyyy!
Three games with Montrose this season. Both fixtures in the Highlands ended 1-1 and we pi$$ed off Gardyne the Gudgie with a comeback win in early December. Webster and Lyons had Montrose two up before we mounted a comeback. Longstaff scored after the hour before Montrose were reduced to ten men with Steeves sent off. The comeback was completed when Paul Allan scored twice in the 88th and 94th minute, direct from a corner. Limbs!
Latest Caley Jags News: Marcus Gill will fill the breach once again with Musa Dibaga still unavailable. A clean sheet for young Marcus last week and another this week would be nice to round off the season. Inverness look to be coming out of administration soon and 32year old Danny Devine is keen to stay on. Adam MacKinnon is our only player with a contract for next season at the moment although with the feelgood factor surging through the club he feels that many might consider it prudent to return next season.
 

Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1🏆 Arbroath 35 16 63 2😎 Cove  35 16 54 3😀 Queen o Sth 35 5 54 4😀 Alloa Ath 35 9 51 5😵‍💫 Stenny 35 2 50 6 Kelty  35 -7 41 7😛 Caley Jags 35 5 40 8🙁 Montrose 35 -7 40 9💩 Annan Ath 35 -25 36 10 Dumbarton 35 -14 20  
Last Six: W W L  L  D L  
Despite faltering over their last few games, Montrose have made the 'cut' and will play in League1 next season as well. A 3-1 home win over Annan was followed by an excellent 3-2 win at Ochilview. Two defeats at the start of April, at home to Arbroath (0-1) and at QotS away (2-1) before drawing 2-2 at Dumbarton with a 2-1 defeat at Alloa allowing us to jump above them in the table, albeit on goal difference. Owen Stirton, on loan from Dundee United, is their top scorer with nine goals in just thirteen games. That's a good return from the young striker. Blair Lyons has seven. Callum Sandilands is another hungry young forward. Good experience through the Gable Endies ranks as well. 
Gardyne the Gudgie is still at Montrose as is Matheus Machado.
 

Wiki said: The first Montrose Football Club was formed on 25 February 1871 after a meeting of local young men seeking to organise the practice of the 'national game of football' on the Links of Montrose. The variety of football played at the time did not resemble the modern game (nothings changed) and was more akin to rugby. Friendly matches amongst club members and townsfolk, Montrose Academical, Arbroath and Aberdeen University were played over the next few years before the club was dissolved. On 8 September 1877, a new football club was formed at a meeting at Montrose Academy.
During the new club's annual meeting on 13 October 1879 at the Town's Buildings, the committee unanimously resolved to change the rules of the club to those of General Association, with an association rules match amongst club members played later that week on 18 October 1879.
The club played their first external association rules match against Arbroath Wanderers on 8 November 1879. Given the fact that the Montrose side were unfamiliar with new rules of the game, the team unsurprisingly lost 4–0. They are the 18th oldest association football team in Scotland still in existence.
It's rumoured that they still don't know the rules 
 
 
 
By tm4tj in Previews 2024-25 ·

Inverness CT 3-0 Arbroath - League 1

Never in doubt!
 
Caley Jags secured League1 status after thrashing Arbroath 3-0 whilst Dumbarton dump Annan 3-1. This result was never in doubt after goals from Keith Bray with a header, a Paul Allan penalty...just, and a superb strike from Billy McKay just after the break coupled with Annan's defeat ensured that we'll be back next season, bigger, better and with less points deducted in League1. What a transformation after the shambles of a club we were left with during the reign of incompetence and administration before that was replaced with Scott Kellacher and the stability from Alan Savage, or as he will forever be known as Alan Salvage.
Statue on order for Scott Kellacher and Alan Salvage!
FULL TIME: 3-0

When it really mattered, Inverness took the bull by the horns from the off to record an emphatic win over Championship bound Arbroath, who made another eight changes this week after last weeks below the belt tactic against Annan. This week it was the full nine yards but they were quickly undressed by an eager to please home side who took the lead when Keith Bray headed in a deep angled cross from the industrious Ben Brannan. The keeper did get a hand to the powerful header but could only palm it up into the net. What a start for the Caley Jags! Ten minutes later a spritely looking Billy Mckay almost added a second when his effort from inside the box was pulled just wide of goal. After twenty minutes and with Inverness looking sharp, Paul Allan slipped Billy into the left side of the box where he was unceremoniously upended by the keeper as he rounded him. Paul Allan took the spot kick and we held our breath for a couple of seconds as the ball spun away from Aidan McAdams and trickled into the net just out of his grasp. No more than we deserved at this point, although the keeper might wonder why he got his hands on both efforts but failed to keep the ball out on each occasion. I'll call it Karma! Another chance fell to Mckay when he went into the left side but this time McAdams made a fine save to deny a third goal as the striker shot across him. Alfie Stewart had a shot saved soon after as our domination continued and just on the break he fired a powerful effort over the bar.
HALF TIME: 2-0
Not everyone was back in their seats at the start of the second half in time to see Billy Mckay score the best goal of the game when he received the ball left of centre inside the box. It all stemmed from a long throw in by Ben Brannan. Three or four headers later Charlie Gilmour put his head on the chopping block to nod the ball towards Billy who took one touch before curling a beauty round the defenders and into the net with power. Tremendous goal from Lazarus Mckay who came good at the right time. Game over and to be honest that killed the game as a spectacle as the last forty minutes were played out at walking pace as both sides were content with their lot. It was maybe dedicated to the Duncball era as the ball seldom went forward and any chance of another goal seemed unlikely. Maybe that's why we had a couple of youngsters entering the field of play to break the now tedious patterns of play. Who cared, we only had to wait for the fire alarm delayed ending to the Dumbarton v Annan game. When it arrived it was joy all round with the Sons winning 3-1 to end Annan's hopes of avoiding the play off and confirmed our status as a League1 team for next season (-5 points)
FULL TIME 3-0
Trevor Matin's photo catches the moment we knew it was all over as the final whistle went at the Rock.
What an achievement after all the adversity throughout the season. Look at the joy on these young faces. Well done to everyone who made this possible.
Scott Kellacher has been a breath of fresh air this season and although it was not all plain sailing, we came good when it mattered. Loan players have come in to help out and have been brilliant. Take a bow Bavidge, Stewart and Brannan.
Our own youngsters have played their part as well and Billy Mckay started scoring again when it mattered most.
 
 

Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1 Arbroath 35 16 63 2 Cove Rangers 35 16 54 3 Queen of Sth 35 5 54 4 Alloa Athletic 35 9 51 5 Stenny 35 2 50 6 Kelty Hearts 35 -7 41 7 Inverness CT 35 5 40 8 Montrose 35 -7 40 9 Annan Athletic 35 -25 36 10 Dumbarton 35 -14 20  
 
 
Date:  26/04/2025  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2329 Referee: Gary Hanvidge
 
Inverness CT: 3
Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup:  Gill; Brannan, Devine, Savage, Strachan (Nolan 75), Bray (Keogh (92)), Gilmour, MacLeod, Allan (Gardiner (92)), Stewart (Longstaff 81), B Mckay (Cairns 92) Subs (not used):  Rebilas; J Walker, Ewan, R Thompson Scorers: Bray (6), Allan (24 pen), B Mckay (47) Booked: Strachan (37) Sent Off: none Arbroath FC: 0
Manager: Colin Hamilton/David Gold Lineup:  McAdams; Penman (Reilly 56), Muirhead, O'Brien, Wilkie, Flynn, Stanton, Stewart, Taylor, Dow (Murray 76), Winter Subs (not used): McConnell; Gallagher, Gold, King, Spalding, Steele Scorers: none Booked: Dow (73) Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2024-25 ·

Inverness CT -V- Arbroath - League1 - Preview

Massive Game
 
We have talked about big games before, but this one is absolutely huge in the thirty year history of Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Only two games left of the regular season and we still need to ensure we avoid the dreaded relegation play-offs. We face Arbroath at home on Saturday and then make the trip to Montrose the week after and these two games could determine our fate. Musa Dibaga is out for the last couple of games as is Alfie Bavidge. Luis Longstaff returned after injury last week and played half a game.
Prior to the game, and three years on from his passing, a few of us will be raising a glass to remember Big Stew in the Innes Bar from 1:00pm. Pop in to say hello and share some stories with us. 
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Match/Ticket/Bus/Bar94/Info
Hospitality Available
Bring a friend for £5
ICTFC PotY VOTING
Wayne Addicoat RIP
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Sad news released by the club today to announce that former player Wayne Addicoat has passed away at just 45 years of age RIP Wayne 😥 His passing will be acknowledged with a minutes applause ahead of kick off against Arbroath.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC are saddened to hear of the recent passing of former player Wayne Addicoat at 45 years-old. 
Wayne played for the club from July 1996 until May 1999, making 54 appearances and scoring 4 goals. 
The club send its condolences to Wayne’s family at this sad time and we will be holding a minute’s applause before this Saturday’s match against Arbroath. 
 

 
Four meetings already this season and we have yet to win one. Closest we came was in the League cup game that ended goalless with Arbroath winning the bonus point after the penalty shoot-out.
2025  Apr 26th League (League 1) ? - ?  H    -      Feb 8th League (League 1) 0 - 3  A    1,500      2024  Dec 14th League (League 1) 0 - 2  H    1,531      Oct 5th League (League 1) 0 - 1  A    1,381      Jul 23rd League Cup (Group D) p 0 - 0  H    754     Final quarter of the season: W L  D L  W L  D ? ? 
Forget the rest of the season; it's what happens over the next two games that will define our season. As well as we have done to give ourselves the chance to stay in this division, we have faltered over the last few games with injuries, suspensions and administration taking it's toll on the squad. Only the two wins in this last phase, but both were emphatic. A 4-1 win in the re-arranged game at home to Stenhousemuir and a brilliant 3-0 win at Cove. A disappointing home defeat to Annan was followed by another disappointing home draw against Alloa. It got worse the week after as QotS battered us 4-1 and following the win at Cove, Kelty dumped us 0-2 in the Highlands, another three points lost. We almost pulled off a good result away to Stenhousemuir last Saturday but a 91st minute own goal left us with just a point after Billy Mckay had scored his first goal for three months earlier in the second half. Thems the breaks, as disappointing as they are. With three minutes to go, we were sitting in 7th place in the table until Montrose equalised against Dumbarton and Stenny levelled with us.
Looks like we will be without big Musa again so I for one won't be holding my breath. I believe we are hopeful of acquiring Marcus Gill again. I also doubt very much that Arbroath will be sending up a second string starting XI this weekend like they did last week at Annan. They would have been as well not turning up instead of the embarrassing 5-1 defeat they were dished out by a team with a goal difference of minus 23, the worst in League1. Scott Kellacher does not want to make anything of this, however, I'm happy to do it for him. Meh!
Kelty are at Cove, Montrose are at Alloa and Annan are at Dumbarton. All tricky away ties at this stage of the season.

Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1 Smokies 34 19 63 2😀 Cove  34 16 53 3😀 Queen Sth 34 3 51 4 Stenny 34 4 50 5 Alloa Ath 34 8 48 6🙁 Montrose 34 -6 40 7🙁 Kelty  34 -7 40 8 Caley Jags 34 2 37 9💩 Annan Ath 34 -23 36 10 Sons 34 -16 17  
Last Six: D D W W W L  
The two draws were both 1-1 against Dumbarton (h) and Kelty (a). Three wins on the bounce v Cove (1-0), Montrose (0-1) and the title winning defeat of Stenhousemuir (4-0). Last week was the embarrassing loss to Annan at Galabank where they made seven changes to their line up and were thrashed 5-1 by Annan. It goes against the grain to be honest especially as they can still influence relegation places by their bringing the game into disrepute tactic. It's certainly not in the spirit of things and unless they field half a team this week then it smacks of dishonesty. When you leave players out with the quality of Fraser Taylor, Scott Stewart, Sam Stanton, Ryan Dow, Tam O'Brien, Aidan McAdams...... yer havin a laff guys.
 
 
Remembering Stewart Anderson who sadly is no longer with us having departed three years ago on 13th April 2022 aged just 52. A few friends of 'Big Stew' will be remembering the Big Man and having a peedie dram in his absence before the Smokies game. Join us if you like as we reminisce about better times ahead of kick-off and fondly get the craic with Big Stew in the Innes Bar from 1:00pm onward. Many a pre-match aperitif was had with Stewart before heading to the game with ample shouting juice absorbed into the body and boarding the taxi at four minutes to three (and still making kick-off).
As you can see, this painting was done by Stewart's brother, Blair. What a fantastic instantly recognisable image that captures the energy and passion, and epitomises this Gentle Giant of a character.
Cheers Stewart, missed by many 🥃 Slàinte Mhath
Here's the new barman sampling some of the wares in what could be described as a 'lock in' back in the day. Never one to shirk a challenge Stewart could easily demolish a peedie dram or equally a 31/2 pint tumbler of the black stuff in one go. A gentleman and a scholar who will be forever in our thoughts. I'm not sure what he would have thought about the current situation the club finds itself in, but I bet he would have had a few choice words for those that have contributed to our demise. 
 
By tm4tj in Previews 2024-25 ·

Stenhousemuir 1-1 Inverness CT - League 1

Late drama scuppers us
 
With both sides still having plenty to play for, points were the priority today as the season inched towards a climax. Inverness would have to do it without their talismanic keeper Musa Dibaga with a young Bhoy in goal, Marcus Gill. The last time the sides met, Inverness produced their finest ninety minutes of the season to roast the Warriors 4-1 in the Highlands only half a dozen games ago. However, we have now reached the business end of the season where experience could be crucial to the outcome. The hosts went heavy with their early season attack force and had Yates and Aitken up front with O'Donnell and Alston on the bench. Scott Kellacher was limited in choices and had Gill in goal. There was a welcome return to the bench for Luis Longstaff although it remains to be seen how fit he is after missing the last eight games with a hamstring injury. 
It was goalless at the break with Inverness dominating proceedings but Gill being more involved than Jamieson. News filtered through that Annan were ahead 2-1 against Arbroath reserves which has closed the gap to just one point at the break. He hadn't scored for yonks, but Billy Mckay broke the deadlock with a tremendous strike and threatened on another two or three occasions thereafter. Extra late drama as Stenhousemuir equalised in a scramble with either a Gilmour own goal or a Fisher bundle over the line. Meh!
The result was a blow for ICT who are going to be without first-choice goalkeeper Musa Dibaga for the rest of the season.
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Marcus Gill got his hands on the ball early as he had to stop a Kyle Banner header in the second minute. Charlie Gilmour  took an early knock but continued after treatment fifteen minutes in. However, it was a cagey start from both although the visitors were having the better of the possession and forced a handful of corners without reward. The home keeper cleared a goalbound header from the line after twenty minutes and Adam MacKinnon fired just wide midway through the half before Matty Yates brought Gill back into action when the keeper held his shot comfortably from outside the box. Despite dominating possession, the home keeper had seen little action fifteen minutes before the break with little more of note before the interval.
HALF TIME: 0-0
Luis Longstaff replaced Adam MacKinnon after the interval for his first bit of action since March 1st but it was Kelsey Ewen that had the first effort on target with Gill able to save. Early second half pressure from the Warriors gained them a couple of corners as they looked to put the young Bhoy under pressure. Gilmour was in the wars once more and again received treatment but was able to continue. Well I never! 'He scores when we want' Billy Mckay opened the scoring with a superb strike following an assist from Alfie Stewart as he fired high into the net from the right side, his first goal for three months. Five minutes later Mckay had another effort brilliantly saved in the bottom corner by Jamieson. Mathew Aitken responded bringing out another save from Gill as he parried away the shot superbly and Ross Meechan headed wide as Stenhousemuir's play off position came under threat. Mckay saw Jamieson save again from the reborn striker with twenty minutes left. Meechan was again denied by Gill, saving in the bottom corner as the Warriors upped the pace. Danny Devine headed over from a set piece as we entered the final ten with the game on a knife edge. Stenny threw their whole squad at us in a final fling to try and salvage a point, and it worked. Charlie Gilmour got the obligatory yellow card before a dramatic own goal levelled the game after 90+ minutes with Fisher claiming it although it might go down as an own goal by Gilmour. And that's how it feckin ended. From 8th to 7th and back to 8th as late drama scuppered us.
FULL TIME: 1-1

That was Billy's first goal since January 18th at Annan. With Arbroath fielding a weakened side today against Annan and being humped 5-1, we are now only one point above the play off place although we do have a superior goal difference with Arbroath up here next week and a final game against Montrose incoming.
Embarrassing stuff from the Champions. I wonder if there will be a stewards enquiry. 
 

 

Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1 Arbroath 34 19 63 2 Cove Rangers 34 16 53 3 Queen of Sth 34 3 51 4 Stenny 34 4 50 5 Alloa Athletic 34 8 48 6 Montrose 34 -6 40 7 Kelty Hearts 34 -7 40 8 Inverness CT 34 2 37 9 Annan Ath 34 -23 36 10 Dumbarton 34 -16 17  
The Goals>>>
 
 
 
Date:  19/04/2025  Venue: Ochilview Park - Attendance: 0764 Referee: Grant Irvine 
 
Stenhousemuir: 1
Manager: Gary Naysmith Lineup:  Jamieson; Meechan, Buchanan, Fisher, Banner (McLuckie 77), Wedderburn (O'Reilly 77),  Anderson, Jacobs (Alston  87), Ewen,  Aitken (McGill 62), Yates (O'Donnell 87) Subs (not used): Morrison; Bilham, Tomlinson Scorers: Gilmour (90+1 og) Booked: Aitken (62) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 1
Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup:  Marcus Gill; Brannan, Devine, Savage, Strachan, Bray, Gilmour, Allan, MacKinnon (Longstaff 46), Stewart (Nolan 85), B Mckay Subs (not used): Rebilas; J Walker, Ewan, Gardiner, MacLeod, Thompson Scorers: Mckay (56) Booked: Gilmour (90+1) Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2024-25 ·

Stenhousemuir -V- Inverness CT - League1 - Preview

The Final Countdown
 
As Europe once said, it's the Final Countdown: 3...2...1. We are now into the final three games of our Annus Administratus and it all starts with a tricky fixture at Stenhousemuir, who will be in the promotion play-offs. Another emergency loan goalkeeper will be with Inverness for Saturdays game at Stenhousemuir with Musa Dibaga out with a hamstring injury. Marcus Gill, a youngster from Celtic's B team squad will be in goal with big Musa out injured. Marcus, 17 years-old, has played for Celtic B in the Lowland League and has also featured in the UEFA Youth League this season.  Marcus has also represented Ireland at Under 19's level. What a game to be without two of the three players of the year in Dibaga, and Bavidge. We also have Danny Devine with Gregor Buchanan of Stenhousemuir also in the Team of the Year. (see full team at bottom of preview). We will be keeping a watchful eye on Annan Athletic's game at Galabank against promoted Arbroath...
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Match/Ticket/Bus/Info
Admin: join the debate on CTO
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 2025  Apr 19th League (League 1)  -   A    -      Mar 11th League (League 1) 4 - 1  H    1,482      2024  Dec 21st League (League 1) 1 - 0  A    719      Sep 28th League (League 1) 0 - 0  H    1,601     Only this seasons games are relevant to current form as the previous eight games were prior to 1999 apart from a League Cup game in 2012: A dramatic penalty shootout was concluded when Ryan Esson saved Darren Smith's penalty to win the tie for Inverness 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw where Billy Mckay headed in the opener before Brown Ferguson equalised from the spot before the break.
Richie Foran miss 0-1 Brown Ferguson score
Graeme Shinnie score 1-2 Andy Rodgers score
Gavin Morrison score 2-2 Bryan Hodge miss
Aaron Doran score 3-3 John Gemmell score
Andrew Shinnie score 4-4 Ross McMillan score
Ross Draper score 5-5 Stewart Kean score
Philip Roberts score 6-5 Darren Smith miss
ICT WIN.
INVERNESS CT  The Season So Far
D L  D  D W D D D L   / W L  D W W W L  W L  
W W L W W L W D W / W L  D L  W L  
Since Scott Kellacher was handed the reins in game 11, there has been a more positive approach to our matches which has resulted in improved performances and a more enjoyable matchday experience all round. Alas we were brought back to earth with a disappointing result in our last game of 2024, a crushing 1-4 defeat at home to Cove Rangers. We'll have to put that one down to a bad day at the office. However, we bounced back in our first game of the second half of the season in the six pointer against Dumbarton with a hard fought 2-0 win. That win over Dumbarton was a vital one and the introduction of Alfie Bavidge was a welcome one as he opened the scoring early in the first half. Charlie Gilmour slotted in the clincher in the second half to give us a cushion over the Sons and to narrow the gap on Annan to seven points. We took part in the only League1 game the next weekend and came away from Annan with a resounding 3-0 win, Alfie Bavidge netting again with Keith Bray and then Billy Mckay from the spot.  It was then on to Palmerston on the Tuesday night but in a five goal encounter we went down 3-2. Alfie Bavidge notched his third goal in three games and Keith Bray added a second but goals from Adam Brooks (2) and Jordan Allan kept the points in Dumfries. We bounced back with a resilient 1-2 win at Alloa in our third away game on the bounce, Dunfermline bound Keith Bray with his fourth of the season and Alfie Stewart. We got our revenge at home to QotS (1-0) with Alfie Bavidge scoring his fourth goal in five appearances. Alas it was a bridge too far at Arbroath and we went down losing three without reply. The Stenhousemuir fixture was postponed and was re-arranged for March 11th. We went to Kelty and came away with a narrow 1-0 win thanks to Alfie's 5th goal in 7 appearances. Montrose proved to be stubborn opponents and it took a superb diving header from Keith Bray to rescue a point in a rather turgid encounter after Sandilands had opened the scoring in the first half. A last gasp win at Dumbarton on the Saturday with Alfie Bavidge scoring his 6th goal in 9 games. Unfortunately Alfie was injured early on against Stenhousemuir in midweek but that didn't stop us running up a 4-1 win with goals from Brannan, Gilmour, Bray and Allan. Annan came North on Saturday in a six-pointer and it was a disappointing defeat after Annan parked the bus after scoring in the third minute. Next up was a 1-1 draw with Alloa despite hitting the woodwork twice and missing a penalty. Another bad day at the office last weekend at a wet and windswept Palmerston after Queen of the South blitzed us with three second half goals to run away with a 4-1 win in Dumfries. Meh! We bounced back with a rout of our own as a Keith Bray hat-trick sunk Cove Rangers 3-0 at Balmoral Park. What a result that was! Despite what could have been a joyous occasion in front of our home fans after that great result at Cove, we once again failed to produce at the Caledonian Stadium going down 2-0 to Kelty in a six-pointer of a game. It's one step forward and two steps back as we crawl towards relative safety.
Latest Team News: Musa Dibaga is out with a hamstring injury. Marcus Gill, a youngster from Celtic's B team squad will be in goal with big Musa out and depending on the result of his scan, it could be for the remaining games. No other new injuries at present.

Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1🏆 Arbroath  33 23 63 2😎 Cove  33 16 52 3😀 Stenny 33 4 49 4😀 Queen Sth 33 1 48 5😀 Alloa Ath 33 8 47 6😛 Kelty  33 -5 40 7 Montrose 33 -6 39 8 Caley Jags 33 2 36 9💩 Annan Ath 33 -27 33 10 Sons 33 -16 16 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Last Six: 
L  D  D L  L  L  
Six games ago we beat Stenny in a re-arranged fixture at the Caledonian Stadium in our finest home game of the season, a crushing 4-1 win. Two 0-0 draws followed against Kelty and Cove then a slump in the last three at home v Montrose (2-3), home v Alloa (1-4) and last weeks title winning defeat at Arbroath (4-0). There are goal scorers in the side though with Corey O'Donnell on 9 and Blair Alston on 8. Yates and Aitken were prominent before injury and big Nat Wedderburn is still there.
 
 
 
 
 
 
𝘼𝙨 𝙫𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧𝙨…
Musa Dibaga – Inverness
Scott Taggart – Alloa Ath
Gregor Buchanan – Stenny
Thomas O’Brien – Arbroath
Danny Devine – Inverness

Ross Cunningham – Kelty
Fraser Taylor – Arbroath
Fraser Fyvie – Cove 

Scott Stewart – Arbroath
Mitchel Megginson – Cove
Alfie Bavidge – Inverness
 
 
By tm4tj in Previews 2024-25 ·

Inverness CT 0-2 Kelty Hearts - League 1

The Caley Thistle Way
 
Scott Kellacher was buoyed by the feelgood factor this week and was looking to keep the Caley Jags ahead of Annan. For the visitors, with Charlie Mulgrew gone, it was Tam O'Ware that was tasked with getting the wee Hearts back on track or at least halting their freefall on a bright Saturday afternoon in the Highlands.
The game got underway with Inverness shooting towards the North Stand in the first half for a change. It was a largely uneventful opening forty-five and if anything, Kelty created the better of the meagre opportunities with Dibaga making two decent stops. Meanwhile Inverness were mainly restricted to blocked shots and missed headers as we approached the break. We all held our breath before the interval when Dibaga went to collect the ball and crumpled to the turf. He resumed after treatment much to our relief. Gilmour hit the base of the post just on the break as a grateful Adams grabbed the ball after it bounced off the post and then hit him on the arse before he grabbed it. Alas Dibaga was unable to continue in the second period with young Szymon Rebilas taking the gloves.  We still failed to trouble Adams after play resumed and it was no surprise when we went behind with Kelty looking much faster when they broke forward compared to our pedestrian approach. McCarvel raced through to slot home ten minutes from the end before Cole tied up the points with our defence in disarray. A thoroughly disappointing afternoon with little entertainment value. Let's hope Calum Jones puts on a better show in Bar94.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FULL TIME 0-2
After last weeks win at Cove, this was a massive disappointment. The only thing in our favour was that Annan lost as well and they remain three points behind us.
It's the Caley Thistle Way; one step forward and two steps backward. Another difficult game next week away to Stenhousemuir.
Scott Kellacher lamented: “We didn’t start well, and we didn’t work anywhere near hard enough like we did when we won at Cove last weekend. “This is really frustrating – there are no excuses for that. “We might not play well, or some things don’t come off in play, but we need to work much harder. 
Speaking about Dibaga’s injury, boss Kellacher added afterwards: “Musa has pulled his hamstring – there is no way he could have carried on. “We had to put young Szymon in goals and it was a big ask for the kid. “We will see what the physio says about Musa.”
Smokies up as Champions 👏
Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1🏆 Arbroath  33 23 63 2😎 Cove  33 16 52 3😀 Stenny 33 4 49 4😀 Queen of Sth 33 1 48 5😀 Alloa Athletic 33 8 47 6😛 Kelty Hearts 33 -5 40 7 Montrose 33 -6 39 8🙁 Inverness CT 33 2 36 9💩 Annan Ath 33 -27 33 10⬇️ Dumbarton 33 -16 16  
Apr 19th 3:00:PM Stenhousemuir (A) League  Annan      Home  Arbroath   Apr 26th 3:00:PM Arbroath (H) League  Annan      Away  Sons   May 3rd 3:00:PM Montrose (A) League                  Annan    - Home    - Cove   Highlights from Kelty Hearts TV
 
Caley100 said on CTO: We did not deserve anything from that performance... nothing!  Terrible passing, no clue,  no passion, no pace...nothing.    Very sad to have seen this from us. 🙁
Howdenender on CTO: Well, in a season full of poor performances, that just about takes top spot! Against a team who conceded 6 goals to bottom side Dumbarton last week we put them under no pressure, played at a pedestrian pace  and got what we deserved. We are a full time outfit in a league full of part time dross,  you only need to look at how Arbroath have run away with it to see that, and Kelty Hearts are a truly dreadful team, but we seem incapable of putting any distance between us and relegation play off place. 😖
Alan on CTO: I can't really add to the previous comments as they have described exactly how the team performed today. No idea how to break down a packed defence or how to defend a quick counter attack 😵‍💫
 
Date:  12/04/2025  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 1812 Referee: Daniel Graves
 
Inverness CT: 0
Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup:  Dibaga (Rebilas 46)); Brannan, Devine, Savage, Strachan, Stewart (Gardiner 83), Gilmour, Allan (R Thompson 71), MacKinnon (MacLeod 60), B Mckay, Bray Subs (not used):  Walker, Nolan, Ewan Scorers: none Booked: Gilmour (54), Savage (87) Sent Off: none Kelty Hearts: 2
Manager: Thomas O'Ware Lineup:  Adams: Paterson, O'Ware, Flatman, Owens (McClure 61), Allan (78), MacIntyre, Mercer (Lyon 78) McCarvel, Moore (61), Johnston (Fellows 90) Subs (not used): Adamson; Brown, Hobbs Scorers: McCarvel (79), Cole (87) Booked: Owens (20), Mercer (54), Johnston (82) Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2024-25 ·

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