Inverness CT -V- Queen of the South - League1 - Preview
With our lead down to a solitary point and just six League1 games left we have a home fixture against Queen of the South on Friday evening under the lights at 7:45pm. It's also on the telly if you can't get down to the stadium so tune in to BBC Alba and have your Gaelic phrasebook handy. Last time we aired with Queens we ran away with the points in a resounding 4-0 win back in November. Zimba and Sole scored on that occasion but they are both on the naughty step and will not be allowed out to play this time. Points are now getting hard to find as every team is fighting for their lives at both ends of the table with Stenhousemuir the form team with the impetus at the moment.
Is our rotation system affecting our run for promotion? Is the size of our squad a hinderance or a bonus? Many fans have voiced their opinion on this as some are left baffled by the decision to change a winning side on numerous occasions. We all understand that injuries will affect who is selected, but it's often for no apparent obvious reason the tinkering occurs. Suspensions will certainly alter our starting XI this week and Danny Devine came off in the second half at Alloa and is a major doubt with Mitchell Robertson ready to step in.
Fixtures against Queen of the South this season have yielded seven points so far with Queens only taking one to date. A 2-0 win for the Caley Jags in the first encounter at Palmerston back in September followed by a runaway 4-0 televised home fixture in November. A point apiece at Palmerston in a 2-2 draw at the end of January takes us up to the present with points in the promotion race getting harder to come by.
Stenhousemuir were the only League1 team to get maximum points last weekend and they face East Fife at Methil on Saturday afternoon just one point behind. Possibly the last chance for Alloa to keep in touch as they are at home to Peterhead and sit ten points adrift of top place.
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Match/Ticket/Bus/Bar94/Info
KDM FINAL TICKETS
Chanka Zimba Call Up
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With the introduction of a £2 maximum fare on bus services in the Highlands this week, the fare on the Matchday Bus Service has been reduced from £2.70 to £2 from this week.
For Friday's game against Queen of the South, Bar 94 will open at 1730, with last orders at 1915 (the bar must be fully vacated by 1930). The bar reopens at full time, when we hope to be joined by some of the players.
Operated by Stagecoach, the bus will leave the Bus Station for the Stadium at 1900, returning from the Stadium to the Bus Station 10 minutes after the full time whistle.
The bus fare is £2 single (contactless payments or cash accepted), and Over 60 / Disabled and Under 22 Concession passes are valid, giving free travel on the service to passholders.
This was the guys we trusted to get the points at Recreation Park. Alas we had to battle for a point, literally, with Chanka Zimba scoring and also being red carded with over twenty minutes remaining. To ease his pain, he has been called up to the Zambian squad for an international fixture against Argentina in Buenos Aires on 31st March. It will coincide with his suspension. How thoughtful.
Last Six League1:
D D W D W D
The last six started with a tough 1-1 draw against Stenny when we had Ben Brannan sent off with 20m left. (On the Tuesday after we beat Ayr Utd 1-2 to progress into the KDM Trophy Final). A disappointing no scoring draw at Kelty followed where we struggled to create enough clear chances and allowed the pack to close in again before a 3-1 home win over Montrose. With Stenny drawing and Alloa losing in midweek, we had a smidgeon of breathing space going into the home game against Cove but that was taken away by a goalkeeper. Balint Demus headed in an equaliser because we failed to put the game to bed when on top. A common theme throughout the season and one which Stenhousemuir took full advantage of by snatching a last minute winner. We bounced back in midweek with a good 3-1 home win over Peterhead with as bizarre an 'offside' goal as you will see gifting the Head their consolation. Zimba x2 & Alonge were our scorers in that one, three going on six. Zimba was Hero to Zero at Alloa scoring the equaliser before being sent off ten minutes later with the game ending at 1-1.
Zimba and Sole are suspended this weekend for a lack of discipline which could prove costly. That's a pity with Zimba scoring three in his last two games. Zimba and Alfie Bavidge both have ten League goals. Kellacher has the usual smokescreen ongoing that we have a few carrying knocks but is keeping that close to his chest for now so you will have to make your own starting XI up for yourself although Danny Devine is known to be struggling to make this one.
Queen of the South drew 2-2 with a battling East Fife on Saturday. Reece Lyon with both goals but the Fifer's battled hard for a point with Gaffney & Culbert scoring. That has no doubt scuppered automatic promotion but Queens are clinging on to the fourth promotion play-off spot ahead of Peterhead and Montrose.
Last Six League1:
L L L D W D
Queens run started with three defeats in a row, kicking off with a valentine's day loss at home to Alloa 2-1. A Kai Kennedy brace was not enough to stop them losing 3-2 at Montrose followed by another home defeat to Peterhead by 2-0. A 1-1 draw with Stenny then the solitary win away to Accies by 3-1 and that takes them up to the 2-2 home draw with East Fife.
The Doonhamers are the second highest scorers in the League with 47 goals. Conceding 41 goals has been their downfall and that has them 13 points off the pace in fourth position, Reece Lyon has eight goals to his name in League1 with former Caley Jag Kai Kennedy bagging seven. Jack Stott and Matty Douglas are both on five.
Queens still have four or five players getting back to match fitness after injury. Jack Hannah, Jack Stott, Jordan Allan and Mikey Hewit are the main ones still nursing injuries.
Saturday 28th March
East Fife v Stenhousemuir kick off 14:00
Alloa Athletic v Peterhead kick off 15:00
Hamilton Accies v Kelty Hearts kick off 15:00
Montrose v Cove Postponed due to International call-ups
Pos
Team
Pld
Gd
Pts
😟
ICTFC
30
32
57
🙂
Stenny
30
19
56
3
Alloa
30
15
47
4
QotS
30
6
44
5
P'Head
30
-10
39
6
Monty
30
-13
38
7
E Fife
30
-25
30
8
Cove
30
-5
28
9
Accies
30
12
25
10
Kelty
30
-31
19
Peter Murphy bemoans missed chances against East Fife>>>
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tm4tj in Previews 2025-26 ·
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