Raith Rovers 0-2 Inverness CT - Report
Rovers wait for a win goes on. In a half of few clear cut chances, Mark Ridgers denied Dylan Easton five minutes before the break as he turned his shot from the edge of the box out for a corner. That was the best chance of an open first half as it closed out at 0-0. Daniel Mackay won a penalty after bursting into the box an hour into the game and Scott Allardice scored from the spot to put Inverness ahead. Billy Mckay spurned a good opportunity to double the lead when put through on goal with fifteen minutes left, but his clipped shot went over the bar. He did better in the final minute when he sealed the points in a counter attack, slotting home a Dan Mackay pass.
What a welcome boost after a couple of weeks of turmoil, and we still have seven players to come back after injury, so well done to all for turning our fortunes around.
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Boyd and Oakley started up front with Billy Mckay on the bench. More importantly our back four had a more solid look to it as we looked to get back on track against Raith Rovers at Stark's Park. Zak Delaney was at left back with Cammy Harper further forward on the left side.
Rovers started brightest as Inverness looked to settle down after some poor performances over the last few games. The opening exchanges saw Rovers push forward with Inverness content to defend deep.
Aidan Connolly had a low volley intercepted on it's way towards goal by Robbie Deas, the rebound being mopped up by the defence and at the other end there were big appeals for a penalty when a ball was swung into the box and an Inverness player appeared to be dragged to the ground by his shirt as he spun away from his marker. That incident was in full view of the ref some eight yards away.
Dan Mackay broke into the left side of the box but his left footed effort was weak and easily dealt with by 'Scottish Cup hero' Jamie MacDonald in goal.
Steven Boyd had a shot charged down in the box en route to goal and the second effort looked to strike a defender on the arm, but nothing given.
Best attempt so far came when Jamie Gullan hooked the ball over his head and volleyed the ball from thirty yards but it dipped just wide of Ridgers left hand post.
After some loose defending, the ball fell to Dylan Easton but he flashed his shot just over the bar from fifteen yards with half an hour gone. Ten minutes later the same player was denied by the keeper at full stretch as Ridgers palmed his shot from the edge of the box out for a corner. Before the interval it was Raiths turn to appeal for a penalty as Deas bundled a player over, but the ref ignored any pleas.
Half Time: 0-0
At the start of the second period, a dipping cross come shot drifted harmlessly onto the roof of the visitors net.
The opening goal came on the hour when Daniel Mackay's pace saw him cut along the bye-line before being scythed down by Ross Millen. Stonewall penalty! Scott Allardice slotted in the penalty with MacDonald going to his right, the ball going to his left.
Boyd fired a free kick wide and Raith responded with Kyle Connell's low shot being comfortably saved by Ridgers. Boyd then shot just over as Inverness looked the most likely to increase their lead after he burst forward in the inside right position.
The game was running away from the hosts and Billy Mckay ensured all three points went North after he met a Dan Makay cross at the far side of the box to calmly slot the ball low behind MacDonald in the 92nd minute.
What a tremendous result for the Caley Jags when many questioned their desire and commitment. Despite being without Sutherland, Walsh, Welsh, Doran, MacGregor, Samuels and Ram they shut up shop and hit on the counter to take all three points back North. Credit where it's due and never underestimate an olde man with a bicycle.
Solid in defence and clinical in front of goal when it mattered. Best performers were from the back out with Ridgers, Dalaney, Devine and Harper getting most praise.
Highlights from Raith TV
Well done Billy, second behind the one and only Dennis (he used to be sh1te, but now he's alright) Wyness who has 101 goals for the Caley Jags Billy has scored three hat-tricks in his time here against Dundee United, Motherwell and Elgin City.
Wyness' total included five hat-tricks. Incidentally, his best haul was four goals against Raith Rovers in a 5-2 win at Inverness. Read Ian Broadfoot's report of Wyness' four goal game in September 2001 below.
Iain Broadfoot reports: With one giant leap this crushing victory sent Caley Thistle from tenth to fifth in Division One. Dennis Wyness was the hero with a record four goals but it was also an excellent team performance. Grant Munro replaced the suspended Bobby Mann. The opening goal came in seven minutes from a botched Paul Browne pass-back. Miotto touched it out directly to Wyness who rolled the ball into the empty net from eight yards. Two minutes later an Andy Smith shot came off Jim Calder's bar then in 12 minutes Miotto tipped over a Charlie Christie 20 yard drive. Goal number two came in 16 minutes when Wyness chipped Miotto from six yards while Ross Matheson tried desperately to haul him down. Raith nearly pulled one back in 19 minutes when a Matheson long range shot came off the bar and the rebound was netted by Nacho Novo from an offside position. In 38 minutes Ross Tokely set Martin Bavidge off on a run down the right. His cross was met by Paul Ritchie on the penalty spot but he miskicked. In 42 minutes the third goal was engineered by Bavidge when he crossed a high ball from the right to the back post where Wyness flicked it first time into the net from a difficult angle. Caley Thistle started the second half in similar style and Miotto pushed over a Bavidge shot from 25 yards. In 54 minutes another Bavidge run down the right resulted in a cross which reached Ritchie six yards out. Somehow his flashing header went narrowly past. Raith scored a minute later when a Calder clearance hit off Stuart McCaffrey and into the path of Scott Crabbe who easily slotted home from 10 yards. Bavidge was felled in the Raith box on the hour mark but no penalty was given. Raith then had a good spell but it was the home side who scored next in 71 minutes. Barry Robson crossed from the left and Wyness headed his fourth goal from six yards. It could have been five in 79 minutes when Wyness was one-on-one with Miotto but this time the keeper won the duel. With seven minutes left Raith made it 4-2. Calder palmed out a Navo shot and Smith was well placed to take advantage and he touched it in easily. Caley Thistle immediately ran upfield and scored a fifth. Ritchie was rewarded for his endeavours when he headed in off the bar from close range after a Robson cross from the left. This completed a fine evenings work and gave Caley Thistle only their second win over Raith in nine matches. Ha ha, changed days...
Date: 03/09/2022 Venue: Stark's Park, Kirkaldy Attendance: 1745 Referee: Don Robertson
Raith Rovers: 0
Manager: Ian Murray Lineup: MacDonald; Stanton, Nolan (Ross 74), Millen (Spencer 83), Dick, O'Riordan, Easton, Brown, Connelly, Gullan (McBride 29), Connell Subs (not used): Thomson; Arnott, Coulson, Masson Scorers: none Booked: Dick (26), Easton 89) Sent Off: none Inverness CT: 2
Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup: Ridgers; Duffy, Devine, Deas, Delaney, D Mackay (Shaw 90+2), Carson, Allardice, Harper, Boyd (Hyde 87), Oakley (B Mckay 72) Subs (not used): C Mackay; Callum Mackay Scorers: Allardice (61 pen), B Mckay (90) Booked: Carson (45) Sent Off: none a
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