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Inverness CT 3-0 Stranraer - Alba Challenge Cup

Caley Jags stroll past Stranraer
 
Caley did all the hard work in the first half hour as they coasted to an ALBA Cup victory against Stranraer that was even more comfortable than the scoreline suggests.
A brace from Richie Foran, sandwiching a goal from Dani Sanchez, had already won the game after 32 minutes, but in truth enough chances were created in the second half that this should really have been a rout, and Terry Butcher will still have a few concerns over the lack of cutting edge in the penalty area.
18th August 2009 - 19:30 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE
3 - Foran (12,32), Sanchez (29)
Team: Esson, Tokely, Bulvitus, Munro, Shinnie, Cox, Eagle, Stratford, Foran (Rooney 62), Sanchez (McBain 80), Hayes (Ross  69)
Subs: Allison, Proctor
STRANRAER
0 -
Team: Mitchell, Agostini (Aitken 52), McInnes, Nichol, Henderson, McMahon (McLom 47), McGeouch, Mitchell, Moore (Jack 53), Montgomerie, Wright
Subs: McGrath
 
Referee C Mackay Attendance 1050 estimate Despite hinting at widespread changes after the failure to beat Ayr on Saturday, TB brought only Ross Tokely (available as his suspension does not affect him in cup competitions) and youngster Graeme Shinnie in, with David Proctor and Lionel Djebi-Zadi given the chance to put their feet up. Stranraer, presumably feeling a bit stiff and tired after a gruelling journey North, were adventurous enough to start with two forwards, only to find ICT taking advantage of the holes in the midfield. After a slow start, with only a tame effort from Robert Eagle to show for the opening 10 minutes, the home side came alive; Lee Cox wandered forward from midfield and had all the time in the world to play in Richie Foran. With half the defence playing for offside and the other half doing goodness knows what, the Irishman could have stopped to light a cigar before drilling a low shot into the bottom right hand corner for the opener.
Suddenly Stranraer were all at sea, and chances came thick and fast. Foran should have had a carbon-copy second, but this time managed to smack the ball the wrong side of the post with only the keeper to beat. To be frank, I could have scored it, so could the lady sitting on my left, and so could the man with the knee replacement on my right. Then Dani Sanchez, anonymous up to this point, came up with a beautiful flicked volley that beat the keeper all ends up but smacked off the post, but the Spaniard quickly made amends for that with the second goal. Jonny Hayes darted in off the right wing, leaving three defenders in his wake, and unselfishly squared the ball for Sanchez to tap in to the empty net. A third was quick to follow, with Eagle the provider and this time Foran knocking the ball in with the keeper stranded. The Irishman might have had a hat trick by half time but glanced a header wide from a free kick. By the half-time whistle, Stranraer faces were as red as their strips, and the home fans scented a second half goal fest.
However, no-one accounted for the magical, invisible forcefield erected around the goal at the Bridge End in the second half, which is surely the only logical reason for Caley's failure to add to their total. There was so many clear-cut opportunities that this observer lost count. Foran wasted two more glorious chances, first losing control in front of goal, then managing to head the ball straight down into the ground so it bounced up and over the bar. Is it still a header if the ball hits your nose?
The Irishman wasn't the only one throwing opportunities away. Both centre-backs should have found the net; Bulvitis contrived to head wide from all of six yards out with no defender to be seen, then Grant Munro stuck a header straight at the keeper from the same distance. Stranraer by this point had no answer when the home side got the ball wide, and Dani Sanchez was denied by the woodwork for the second time, somehow only hitting the post with a header from two yards out (all right, it was an acute angle, I'll give him that). Lee Cox came up with a pearler from distance which dipped and swerved and which the goalie could only parry, while Adam Rooney made the keeper earn his expenses as well, forcing two decent saves though, in truth, the substitute striker should have scored on both occasions. For all the outstanding build up work, the words "couldn't", "score" and "brothel" come to mind when thinking of the second 45 minutes. Stranraer, for their part, managed one chance of their own when veteran forward Michael Moore found enough space to force a decent block from Ryan Esson, but in truth the Caley No. 1 probably won't have sweated enough to require a post-match shower.
So, it was only three in the end, though it must be said that a relatively strong lineup will not have expended too much energy ahead of Saturday's trip to Dens Park. But while the defence came up with a fourth consecutive clean sheet, TB will still be left wondering just how much he can rely on his front men ahead of a big match where chances are likely to be at a premium...
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By Guest in Reports 2009-10 ·

Inverness CT -V- Stranraer - Preview

Teaser Paragraph:
ICT seek first ever win over Stranraer: ICT will look to get back to scoring ways in this ALBA Cup second round match against third division Stranraer.
Its perhaps hard to believe, but the only Scottish league team we’ve never beaten are tonight's opponents !
While Saturday’s scoreless draw with Ayr United yielded a third consecutive clean sheet, it exposed a lack of form and confidence in front of goal which needs rectified quickly if Inverness are to maintain a title challenge.  
Having knocked out another third division side, Montrose, in the first round of the competition (albeit on penalties), ICT remain, technically, unbeaten in the tournament since August 2002, having won the competition in 2003-04, the last season we spent in the Scottish Football League. However, the difficulties encountered in the previous round should be enough to show the dangers of underestimating lower division opposition. It’s a 185 mile journey from Stranraer to Inverness, and the visitors are hardly going to come all this distance just to make up the numbers. And, incredibly, our only "victory" in seven meetings was in a shootout in a cup replay; if you count the multiple Highland League triumphs against Elgin, then you could say that they remain the only Scottish League team ICT have never beaten. We’ve beaten Rangers, Celtic, and even Aberdeen, but not Stranraer!…
Our opponents Many Stranraer fans will be relieved they are competing this season at all, following a nightmare 2008/09 season which saw them finish bottom of the second division, with only three league wins all season, and revelations in January that the club were £250,000 in debt and had only a 50/50 chance of survival. However, Stranraer’s future has been secured by a partnership with a local housing association, and they lie eighth in the third division after two matches, following a 1-0 defeat at Forfar on Saturday.
Previous meetings The two sides have met seven times before, the last of which was in the same competition in September 2000; Stranraer were 2-1 winners in the Highlands. Ross Tokely and Roy McBain both played that day, while current Stranraer manager Keith Knox was part of the opposition lineup.
Team news Inverness Ross Tokely is available again as his current suspension does not apply to this competition. However, Eric Odihambo is still recovering from a broken metatarsal and Dougie Imrie has a knee injury. Andy Barrowman’s hamstring is set to keep him out of the picture as well. Terry Butcher may take the chance to rest a few players which could mean starts for Tokely, Russell Duncan, Roy McBain, Nick Ross and Adam Rooney.
Stranraer The visitors’ thin squad is likely to be stretched, with veteran centre back Murray Henderson, fellow defenders Kyle Wright and Stephen Noble, and forward Ray Montgomerie all suspended. There are few familiar names amongst Stranraer’s lineup, though it does include former ICT youth player Martin Jack.
The Hislopsoffsideagain prediction
The home support should expect a scoreline closer to the win over Annan than the result against Montrose. The long journey will not help the durability of Stranraer’s part-time players and an early goal could well lead to a big win. However, Inverness have lacked a cutting edge up front and might toil if the underdogs defend well as Montrose did here. However, anything other than a comfortable win would be a surprise and a disappointment.
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By Guest in Previews 2009-10 ·

Inverness CT -V- Ayr Utd - Report

Jags draw a blank
A day of frustration and missed chances for ICT as the home season starts with a no score draw against Ayr United.
ICT were in the ascendency for much of this game but could not put the ball in the back of the net ... something we will need to do if we are to have any hopes of a quick return to the SPL.
 
15th August 2009 - 15:00 Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE
0 -
Team: Esson; Proctor (Duncan 55), Bulvitus, Munro, Djebi-Zadi, Cox, Eagle (Ross 74), Stratford, Foran (Rooney 69), Sanchez, Hayes
Subs: Allison, McBain
AYR UNITED
0 -
Team: Samson; Keenan, A. Aitken, James, Gibson, Stevenson, Borris (Connolly 46), C. Aitken, Trialist (Cawley 61), Roberts, Easton
Subs: Grindlay, McGowan, Prunty
Referee Brian Winter Attendance 3297     After securing a precious 3 points with victory over Dunfermline at East End Park last Saturday hopes were high that ICT could secure another victory as they took on Ayr United in the opening SFL1 game in Inverness this season. Terry Butcher, back from Scotland duty midweek, made just two changes to the side that grabbed a last second win over the Pars by replacing Rooney and Imrie with Foran and Hayes respectively. With Imrie out for up to 3 months with a medial ligament injury, recent signing Hayes was keen to show what he could do deputising for the former Clyde midfielder whilst Foran was keen to get off the mark and on his way to his pre season target of 20 goals over the course of the season. Ayr fielded former Dundee United and Aberdeen striker Robbie Winters as a trialist up front. Inverness started the stronger of the two and the first attack came down the Ayr right as Lionel Djebi Zadi powered forward, bursting between two Ayr defenders and scampering towards goal but the Frenchman was unable to deliver a telling cross as the ball sailed high above the heads of all his team mates and didn't trouble Samson in the United goals. Ayr's first chance of the game arrived via a cleverly worked free kick which saw the ball lifted over the static ICT wall but thankfully Esson was alert to the danger and raced from goal to block the attempted shot which resulted in a few Home fans shifting uncomfortably in their seats realising that Ayr were going to be no pushovers this afternoon. Despite this temporary scare, ICT lifted the tempo again and began to find themselves in the ascendancy and creating chances to take the lead. A corner from the right was swung in and landed right on top of a group of players in the six yardbox but despite a desperate attempt by David Proctor to force the ball goalwards the ball trickled wide of target. the next half chance was to the fall the way of winger Hayes who chased and harried the Ayr defence until they very nearly gave the ball away just outside their own penalty area but despite the nippy midfielders tenacious attempts to force a mistake, the Ayr defence stood firm again. Last weeks match winner Lee Cox then looked to slide a ball through to Foran but the Irishman was adjudged by the far side linesman to have made his run too early. More clever wing play by Hayes saw the Irishman skip past his marker and lift the ball into the box where it eluded the flailing arms of Samson and between the feet of Foran and Eagle neither of home could force the ball home. The roles were then reversed as Foran darted down the left wing and squared the ball to the feet of Hayes to give the 22 year old the chance of the match so far but his shot was weak and Samson smothered it easily. Ayr had been on the back foot for some time now but nearly gave their supporters something to shout about as Mark Roberts seized on a loose ball and powered through the middle of the Inverness pack but he was tackled strongly by Bulvitis to end any chance of a United opener. A corner from Eagle was met firmly by the head of Proctor and forced Samson into a fine save to keep the scores level and Ayr were let off the hook again when fine set up play from Foran gave Eagle the chance to bag his first goal for Inverness but the former Norwich player appeared indecisive when shooting and attempted to curl one in with his right foot but lifted it high over the bar. As the second half got under way Ayr made a substitution with Connolly replacing Borris as they looked to try and stem the wave of Inverness attacks during the second period. Hayes again was proving to be a tricky customer for the Ayr rearguard when he found space down the left and sent in a high, hanging ball towards Foran whose attempted header lacked any real conviction and was easily saved by the keeper. Lionel Djebi Zadi then nearly set up the opener for Ayr when he played a woeful backpass for Esson who had to be quick off his line to clear the danger. Butcher brought on Duncan for Proctor which saw Stratford move to the right back slot whilst Ayr replaced Robbie Winters with Kevin Cawley. In the 65th Ayr had a strong claim for a penalty turned down as Easton went to ground under pressure from Stratford. Despite strong appeals from the Away fans and Ayr players, referee Brian Winter turned down their calls for a spot kick and waved play on to the relief of the Home support. Djebi Zadi went on another rampaging run down the left and puled back a cross to Sanchez who looked to fire in a first time shot to test Samson but the Spanish play maker didn't connect well with the ball and it screwed off to the right past the post. The game was beginning to get more scrappy as Inverness resorted to long balls out of defence which the enormous figure of Kevin James dealt with apparent ease. Eagle was hooked for young Nick Ross and a clever exchange of passes between the 17 year old and Sanchez nearly gifted Rooney with the chance to put Inverness in front but again Samson was alert to the danger sprinting off his line to claim the loose ball. Ayr were beginning to look dangerous on the break as Inverness pushed for the crucial goal and Esson had to look smart to prevent an effort from Easton sneaking in whilst Djebi Zadi cut out a cross that, had it not been blocked, would have surely seen United take the lead and the three points. The last chance for Inverness to get anything from the game disappeared as a heavy looking cross from Stratford hung in the air before falling on the wrong side of the bar. A number of boos greeted the final whistle from the Home fans whilst the Ayr support cheered their well earned point. After a hard earned, and perhaps unexpected, three points last week it could have been argued that todays game was seen as an "easy" three points for ICT but in the end Ayr proved they were no pushovers. Whilst Inverness had the best of the chances, the inability to finish off these opportunities when presented to them will be of a concern to both manager and fans.
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By Guest in Reports 2009-10 ·

Inverness CT -V- Ayr Utd - Preview

Teaser Paragraph:
Honest men or Honest Pros(e) Ayr will be this seasons first visitors to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium for a First Division match. Season ticket sales are believed to be going well with upwards of 2000 already sold and a decent crowd is expected as last seasons promoted side look to establish themselves in the First Division.
Ayr won promotion last year after beating Airdrie United in the two leg play off final.
 
Saturdays Opponents
The Honest Men Here are a few lines from one of Mr Burns’s ramblings. This truth fand honest Tam o' Shanter, As he frae Ayr ae night did canter, (Auld Ayr, wham ne'er a town surpasses For honest men and bonie lasses.) Yes, you have guessed it, that’s where Ayr United got the nickname of the Honest Men, although I can’t vouch for the bonny lassies. Ayr will be this seasons first visitors to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium for a First Division match. Season ticket sales are believed to be going well with upwards of 2000 already sold and a decent crowd is expected as last seasons promoted side look to establish themselves in the First Division. Ayr won promotion last year after beating Airdrie United in the two leg play off final. They shouldn’t have bothered as Livingston did everybody a favour by getting themselves into administration, thus enabling Airdrie to bounce back up quicker than ICT thought possible. Ayr have had better times, being managed by the larger than life Ally Macleod on three separate occasions spanning fifteen years. Their ground, Somerset Park is one of the older more traditional grounds with terraces and boasts an official capacity of 10,128. Ayr United were founded in 1910 after the merger of Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C. The clubs record scorer is Jimmy Smith who score 66 goals in season 1927-28 in only 38 league matches, which is a British record for a single season. As a celebration of their centenary year, Ayr United will play in black and white hoops. Notable games This fixture has thrown up some of ICT’s most memorable games, and two that are always in the top ten of everyones list are the unfogettable cup game when Ayr led 3-0 at half time before Caley Jags went on the rampage in the second half to clinch a 4-3 victory.
Ayr had powered into a three-goal half-time lead thanks to strikes from Eddie Annand, Mark Campbell and Marvyn Wilson. But replies after the break from Paul Sheerin, Bobby Mann, Davide Xausa and Dennis Wyness completed a sensational comeback
The previous game in Inverness resulted in one of the highest scoring matches seen in Inverness as Caley Thistle thrashed Ayr 7-3 in a see saw game. Wyness scored a hat-trick with Teasdale, Sheerin (pen), Bagan and Xausa completing the rout. Eddie Annand, Hugh Robertson and Glynn Hurst were the scorers for Ayr. This was the third time that season Ayr had scored three goals against ICT, but they failed to win any of those games. Those were the days. However, Inverness found Ayr a tougher nut to crack in their last encounter in the Highlands, when Inverness as an SPL side struggled to a draw against second division Ayr United, and required a replay at Somerset Park before the dayglow jacketed conga dancing away support. Happy days. Team News Inverness Dougie Imrie will be the latest casualty to miss out as he took a sore one at East End Park and could well be out for a few months depending on what the knee scans reveal. Eric has just had the plaster removed and is still a long way from full training. Lionel suffered a dead leg at Dunfermline but should be OK. Johnny Hayes who came on in the last twenty minutes to good effect last week also had a problem but should be ready for this week. Richie Foran has served his one match ban and should lead the attack although Ross Tokely has to sit out another three league games. Roy McBain will be pushing for a start after an excellent display in midweek against Clach. Ayr United Bryan Prunty returns to Inverness, fondly remembered as he of the last minute sclaffed shot at Ibrox to equalise. He along with Roberts may well lead the Ayr attack. McGowan could return after suspension. Kevin James will be a problem for ICT with his six foot seven inch frame. The former Falkirk and Hearts player has plenty of experience and Grant Munro will have to watch him closely at set pieces. Ayr’s last starting eleven with subs were:- Grindlay, Keenan, James, Gibson, Andrew Aitken, Borris, Stevenson (Connolly 75), Chris Aitken, Easton, Prunty (Cawley 60), Roberts (Gormley 86). TM4TJ Prediction If Inverness wish to make a serious bid for promotion, then these are the sort of games they need to win handsomely. Ayr United on the other hand will be looking to maintain their positive start to the season after drawing with Partick. I would imagine they will not be throwing caution to the wind and this will leave ICT to try and break down the Ayr defence, something that we have trouble doing. The return of Foran will be influential, as Rooney squandered a hatful of opportunities last weekend, although his work rate was appreciated if not always carried out at breakneck speed. Sanchez might provide the trickery to unlock the Ayr rearguard and Cox will be buoyant after his superb finish against the Pars. Last week I predicted a tough opener for ICT, and I expect no different this week from the Honest Men, but ICT should have enough to see off the resistance of the Ayr men. Bring your umbrellas tomorrow, the forecast is not great, and it’s tipping it down just now. As Rabbie Burns said to me the ither day…… No, wha this tale o' truth shall read, Ilk man and mother's son take heed; Whene'er to drink you are inclin'd, Or cutty-sarks run in your mind, Think! ye may buy joys o'er dear - Remember Tam o' Shanter's mare. If only he could spell he could have made it big in literature………….Enjoy.
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By Guest in Previews 2009-10 ·

Season Ticket Boost

Teaser Paragraph:
Caley Thistle have received a boost ahead of their first home SFL game with the news that season ticket sales are going to be greater than they were in the SPL. The club sold 2110 season tickets for the 2008-09 Premier campaign and hope to overtake that in time for Saturday's game with Ayr United at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.
Fans Answer Terry’s Plea as Caley Thistle
Are Set to Surpass Last Year’s Season Ticket Numbers
Caley Thistle have received a boost ahead of their first home SFL game with the news that season ticket sales are going to be greater than they were in the SPL.
The club sold 2110 season tickets for the 2008-09 Premier campaign and hope to overtake that in time for Saturday's game with Ayr United at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.
"I understand we're only 14 season books short of selling more than last time", says manager Terry Butcher and the Scotland assistant coach, rushing back from Norway to prepare the side for the Ayr clash,adds:"That's very encouraging news for the players. Supporter loyalty is very important to the team and the excellent response suggests fans understand how unlucky we were to go down with the highest ever points total for a side relegated from the SPL.
"We've got a major infusion of new blood and these players will be looking for the backing of the fans as they bid to build on our win at Dunfermline. Selling more season tickets than we did for the Premier Division, with Celtic and Rangers fixtures, would send a very positive signal."
Commercial manager Darren Mackintosh said:"We've sold 2097 season books so far and we're hoping  fans who have not got round to buying one yet will move quickly so we can surpass last season. Our enhanced easy payment scheme has proved extremely popular in these cash-constrained times.
"Season ticket income is a key cog in our football budget. People have shown great support and we're now making the last push. It's clear that fans disappointed by the loss of plum SPL games are now enthused by the prospect of Caley Jags being in a promotion-chasing campaign, adding spice to every home fixture.
"In our pricing structure we have placed great emphasis on the future market, the fans of tomorrow -- and our measures to encourage younger fans have proved very successful. We have 20% more children than last year overall helped by our new discounted 8 – 12 year rates”
Details of this years Season Ticket Prices can be found on the official club website by clicking here
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By Guest in News 2009-10 ·

Dunfermline -V- Inverness CT - Report

Opening day draw
Inverness Caledonian Thistle opened their SFL 1 league campaign with a tricky journey South to face Dunfermline at East End Park. Both sides are striving for promotion back to the SPL along with Partick and Dundee and the game offered the respective fan bases a chance to see how their favourites competed against another rival title challenger.
In a very open game that produced a number of chances for both sides it took until the 92nd minute for the winning goal which came courtesy of a rasping drive from Inverness midfielder Lee Cox who sent a very vocal away following into raptures and gave ICT a great three points at what will be a very difficult venue for teams to take points from over the course of the season. After limping past Montrose and thrashing Annan Athletic in the first rounds of the Challenge and CIS Cup respectively this game was to be a much tougher test for Inverness with a number of new players making their league debut having been signed by Butcher over the summer. With Foran and Tokely both suspended Inverness lined up: Esson Proctor     Bulvitis     Munro     Djebi Zadi Imrie (McBain 77 mins)     Cox     Stratford     Eagle (Hayes 70 mins) Sanchez (Sutherland 87 mins) Rooney     8th August 2009 - 15:00 East End Park, Dunfermline DUNFERMLINE
0 -
Team: Fleming; Woods, Glass, Bell, McGregor, Higgins, Gibson, Burke, Bayne, Kirk, Graham
Subs: Paterson, McCann, Phinn, Holmes, McDougall
INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE
1 - Cox (90)
Team: Esson; Proctor, Bulvitus, Munro, Djebi-Zadi, Cox⚽, Eagle (Hayes 69), Stratford, Rooney, Sanchez (Sutherland 87), Imrie (McBain 76)
Subs: Allison, Shinnie
Referee Dougie McDonald Attendance 2975 HT Report - courtesy of BBC : FT Report - courtesy of BBC     Inverness started strongly and attacked Dunfermline right from the off. A long ball through from Djebi Zadi found Rooney in space and the striker drove towards goal but was halted in his tracks by a splendid challenge from Pars defender Neil McGregor. The flame haired forward was not to enjoy the best day in front of goal passing up a glut of chances to put Inverness in front. Lee Cox passed up an opportunity as Sanchez feed him at the edge of the box but he pulled his shot high and wide of Flemings goal. Dunfermline had plenty of opportunities as well, ending the game having some 20 shots at goal, but they were not proving clinical when presented with chances to take the lead. Gibson, Burke and Kirk all attempting to open the scoring for the Pars but none were able to force Esson into a serious save. Whilst ICT were having more of the ball and knocking it around with relative ease, Dunfermline still posed a threat on the break with David Graham in particular proving to be a tricky customer for the ICT defence and Proctor was lucky to avoid a yellow card after what looked to be a rash challenge the Dunfermline player after he had skipped past his man. Inverness should have taken the lead after neat build up play on the left wing between Djebi Zadi and Eagle which resulted in Djebi Zadi thundering through on goal but he was unfortunate in dragging his shot just too far to the right which resulted in it clipping the edge of the post and rebounding away from any lunging Inverness player much to the relief of the Home crowd. The chances continued to come for both sides with only despairing blocks and poor finishing meaning that the scores stayed level. Dunfermline should have taken the lead when a cross was stood up to the back post and Bayne rose to head towards goal but the effort was wide of Esson's right hand post. Just before half time a last ditch challenge from Munro closed down a goal bound effort from Bell which meant that despite a glorious number of openings for both teams we went into the break goalless.    Half Time 0-0   The second half began in a similar vein to the first with both sides desperately seeking the crucial opening goal. Whereas ICT had just shaded the first half the second 45 minutes was to see more of Dunfermline as an attacking force and they rained in a plethora of long range shots on Esson's goal. Graham again proving to be a thorn for ICT as neat build up play down the left saw him presented with half a chance and he fired a shot goalwards but it was of little concern to Esson. Whilst the home side continued to try their luck from long range, ICT looked to hit on the break and nearly did so when Sanchez was played through and looked to be hauled back by a Pars defender. Referee MacDonald played advantage, although this was now arguably lost as Sanchez was crowded out before he could get his shot away with McGregor again sliding in to block the Spaniards shot. As the game entered the last 20 minutes the tempo was upped by both sides and both Esson and Fleming had to look sharp to keep their sides in it. First the bustling Imrie stung the palms of Fleming with a ferocious drive which Willie Gibson then attempted to replicate Imrie’s effort at the other end as he rifled in a shot that swerved wickedly in front of Esson who did well to keep it out. As the game entered the final 10 minutes of normal time it became abundantly clear to everyone in the ground that one goal was going to be enough to win it and the Inverness away support roared their team on. However it was the Dunfermline fans who nearly had a goal to celebrate as a clever dip of the shoulders allowed Kirk to wriggle free from Bulvitis and send a shot thumping off the post with Esson beaten.   A goal did eventually come and thankfully it came for Inverness. Lee Cox found himself in space at the edge of the Dunfermline area, with the home players too slow to close him down, the Englishman cracked in a right footed strike that beat Fleming and secured a precious three points for Inverness.   Full Time 0-1     The joy at getting the winning goal was clearly evident from the fans celebrations through to the reactions of the players and management. Dunfermline could argue that they were hard done by as a draw might well have been a fairer result but for all the shots they rained in on Essons goal only two were on target. ICT now have to keep their momentum going when Ayr United visit Inverness next week. Three points will be expected and if the team play as well as they did on Saturday there is no reason why that could not be achieved.  
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By Guest in Reports 2009-10 ·

Dunfermline -V- Inverness CT - Preview

Teaser Paragraph:
Down to the Nitty Gritty
There is life outside of the SPL and for Inverness it begins this Saturday in Fife as ICT tackle Dunfermline Athletic in the first SFL1 game of the season at East End Park.
Dunfermline have been out of the SPL since a deflected Rory McAllister strike saw them relegated in Inverness in 2007. Like Dunfermline, Rory has dropped down the leagues as well now playing and scoring regularly for Brechin City.
 
Down to the Nitty Gritty There is life outside of the SPL and for Inverness it begins this Saturday in Fife as ICT tackle Dunfermline Athletic in the first SFL1 game of the season at East End Park. Dunfermline have been out of the SPL since a deflected Rory McAllister strike saw them relegated in Inverness in 2007. Like Dunfermline, Rory has dropped down the leagues as well now playing and scoring regularly for Brechin City. Saturdays Opponents Dunfermline, a club once managed by the legendary Jock Stein amongst others, have seen better times, reaching the UEFA cup quarter finals in season 61/62 before going out to Ujpest Dozsa of Hungary on a 5-3 aggregate. They went one better in 1969 when under the guidance of George Farm they narrowly lost out 2-1 on aggregate to Slovan Bratislava in the semi-finals of the Cup Winners Cup. Scottish Cup winners twice and having also won the first division title in 1989 and 1996 the Pars like plenty teams before them are finding out it’s not so easy to bounce back to the SPL. Dunfermline was formed in 1885 and their home strip is predominantly black & white vertical stripes since 1909. For the first few years of their existence the home strip was a plain maroon top accompanied by blue shorts, perhaps this was an unlucky strip as four years later they maybe had second thoughts as they slumped to one of their heaviest ever senior defeats, losing 1-11 in October 1889 to Hibernian. I’m sure Johnboy was at this game along with Buffy the Par, maybe they can help out with the scorers. Former Inverness Thistle manager, the enigmatic Jim Leishman MBE, is back at Dunfermline as Director of Football and they have a new manager since we last tangled with them as Jim McIntyre replaced Stephen Kenny in 2008. One of life’s great mysteries is how did Dunfermline Athletic come to be known as the Pars? Well, to be honest, better men than I have tried to unravel that conundrum, but my favourite suggestion is that the teams drinking habits had something to do with this. One of the earliest theories claims that when the club were young and connected with the local cricket club, the footballers were somewhat renowned for their performances at the bar and gained the appropriate handle of the ‘Paralytics’ this has since been shortened to The Pars that we now recognize today. Maybe that’s why they lost so heavily to Hibs. Games to remember Cast your mind back to Sunday 15th August 2004, those heady days at Pittodrie as Stuart Golabeck started the ball rolling, literally, by scoring our first ever SPL goal in front of two sets of traveling fans twelve minutes into our second match with a twenty yard strike into Stillie’s bottom corner, the ball rolling over the line to the delight of the majority of the 1,972 crowd. Our season had started disastrously at Almondvale as Livingstone whipped the new SPL boys 3-0, a result which saw them top the SPL table on that Saturday evening….. Oh my, how times have changed. We saw some Spanish flair in the 70th minute as Juanjo backflipped his way across the Pittodrie turf after securing our first SPL points. One notable player for the Pars that day was our much maligned ex-manager Craig Brewster, a legend at Dunfermline but to become less appreciated at Inverness after his return. Not many familiar faces left from that game. Teams that day were as below. Inverness CT: Brown, Tokely, McCaffrey, McBain, Golabek, Keogh, Hart, Munro, Juanjo (Prunty 88), Bayne, Hislop (Wilson 23). Subs Not Used: Fraser, Dods, Duncan, Proctor, Black. Goals: Golabek 12, Juanjo 70. Dunfermline: Stillie, Shields, Scott Wilson, Skerla, Byrne (Darren Young 45), Dempsey, Nicholson, Mason, Scott Thomson, Hunt (Donnelly 71), Brewster (Mehmet 75). Subs Not Used: Langfield, Lyle, Labonte, McKeown. Dunfermline have played a big part in ICT’s memorable games. The Scottish cup semi-final in 2004, with The Pars going into the final after a replay. ICT’s first game in the First Division resulted in a convincing 4-0 win for the Pars at East End Park. Smith, Reid, Thompson and Petrie scored for a rampant Pars side. ICT’s first SPL game in Inverness, when Barry Wilson curled home a brilliant 25 yarder to send the home fans into raptures. Brewster the player scored the second in a 2-0 homecoming celebration. After all, SPL football in the Highlands took a long time coming, but when it arrived, it arrived with a bang. In sixteen league encounters, ICT have won seven, Dunfermline have won four with the points being shared on five occasions Back to reality For ICT this weekend, we will be missing Eric Odhiambo still out injured and the suspended pair of Ross Tokely and Richie Foran, who will be major omissions from our squad. Barrowman showing no signs of being match fit will miss out. Lee Cox looks to have made the Ian Black slot his own after some impressive displays in the cups and Dougie Imrie seems to have rekindled his fire with two assists and a goal in the defeat of Annan last week. Sanchez has that Latin flair, scoring with aplomb, and Eagle had an impressive second half, swooping to head his first goal for the club. I would expect a similar line up to the one which started against Annan, with possibly Esson replacing young Kyle Allisson in goals and Latvian Naurus Bulvitis retaining his central defensive pairing with Captain Grantie. Proctor and Hayes could be added to the squad after recovering from knocks, with Proctor the likely replacement at right back. Soccer super skill entertainer Lionel Djebi-Zadi will be an important player this weekend. He showed some samba skills last week, although the overhead goal from the halfway line has still to materialise. Dunfermline have been scoring freely in the CIS cup with former Hearts striker Andy Kirk bagging a brace as did midfielder Steven Bell. David Graham scored the other goal in the five nil romp over Dumbarton. The pars have some menacing players with ex-Inverness target man Graeme Bayne partnering Kirk up front. Willie Gibson signed from Killie bolsters the Pars midfield. Former Newcastle and Aberdeen full back Stephen Glass will captain the side. Neil Macgregor is the latest addition to the Dunfermline squad which has the perfect SFL blend of experience and upcoming youngsters. TM4TJ Prediction This is a tough game to start the campaign with. We have never beaten Dunfermline at East End Park in the First Division. Both teams scored a few goals in the CIS cup games, albeit against lesser opposition. This game will be an excellent benchmark for the coming season as the Pars may well feature in the top few teams in the league. Both teams are solid defensively with plenty of dig in the middle and the difference could be the missing pair of Tokely and Foran for Inverness. We can be shot shy at times, whilst Kirk and Bayne are no strangers to the back of the net. Joe Cardle is suspended for this game. With that in mind I am tempted to sit on the fence, but not wishing to put a damper on anyone’s day out I feel that the Pars may prove too strong for us in Dunfermline, although we will be more than capable of reversing this back in Inverness. Unfortunately, I am predicting Dunfermline to edge a tight game, but keeping fingers crossed for ICT to get off to a good start.
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By Guest in Previews 2009-10 ·

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