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Inverness CT -V- Kilmarnock - Preview

Champions in waiting
 
 
Kilmarnock head North looking to wrap up their return to the Premiership as they visit the Caledonian Stadium on Friday night. The game is a 7:45pm kick off and can be seen on council TV. The crossing of the T's and dotting of the I's is all that prevents the trophy being handed over, but the real battle goes on for second, third and fourth. Killie will be taking a big crowd North looking to close out the title.
MATCH/TICKET/STREAMING INFO
SPORTS BAR OPEN AT STADIUM
The stats lean towards Inverness in this fixture but it's usually a tight affair. Home advantage could be crucial but Killie are hitting fine form at the right moment. We sometimes appear clueless, let's see what hat we wear on Friday night.
Venue Head2Head Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 24 11 9 4 44 32 +12 Away 26 8 6 12 36 45 -9 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 50 19 15 16 80 77 +3 Last 10 Competitive Meetings v Killie
0 - 1
(A)
1 - 0
(H)
1 - 0
(A)
1 - 2
(A)
1 - 1
(H)
1 - 1
(A)
1 - 1
(H)
3 - 1
(H)
1 - 2
(A)
2 - 1
(H) This Season
It's advantage Inverness so far in the three meetings. Never more than one goal between the sides this season but Killie look to be rounding their season off in emphatic style whilst we are still trying to ensure we make the play-offs with some erratic performances, self belief not high on our agenda.
CTO Report August 28th -Table Toppers: Both sides had won their opening three fixtures with Killie having the better goal difference. Both sides had yet to concede a goal; something was going to give, and it did after five minutes. This game had the potential to be the toughest test so far in the Billy Dodds era and it was a tight affair but Inverness scored the only goal of the game when Michael Gardyne lashed the ball into the net via the keepers palms. That proved to be the winner. Blair Alston nicked one off the outside of the post before the interval and Mark Ridgers kept Killie out with his 4th clean sheet in a row in the Championship after denying Innes Cameron from point blank range to put the Caley Jags at the top of the table on their own.
CTO Report December 3rd - Table Toppers again: League leaders Kilmarnock looked determined to spoil the game as a spectacle and it was a first half of few chances. Mckay having a shot blocked for a corner by Hemming and Ridgers denying McKenzie. However, chances were at a premium and the half ended goalless. The goal that settled the game was a stunning strike from captain Sean Welsh and no more than Inverness deserved with Killie void of attacking intent. This result put Inverness back on top of the table for now.

CTO Report January 29th - Rugby Park Loss: Inverness made the long journey home with no points after Kyle Lafferty scored an early goal after good work by Daniel Mackay down the right wing. What a kick in the teeth that was. Very little to choose between the sides as neither side dominated and clear chances were at a premium with Killie probably having the better of them. Without five regulars, this was always going to be a difficult ask, and so it turned out, but our recent signings look like they could offer something once they are up to speed.
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts Inverness v Killie (Friday night) 1. Kilmarnock 33 19 6 8 46 23 63 2. Arbroath 33 15 14 4 45 25 59 3. Inverness CT 32 13 11 8 45 31 50 4. Partick Thistle 33 13 10 10 44 36 49 5. Raith Rovers 33 10 13 10 40 43 43 6. Morton 33 9 13 11 36 42 40 7. Hamilton Ac. 33 9 12 12 37 47 39 8. Ayr United 33 8 11 14 34 48 35 9. Dunfermline 33 6 14 13 33 49 32 10. Q.O.S. 32 6 8 18 30 46 26 SATURDAY 16TH APRIL
Arbroath v Queens
Dunfermline v Ayr United
 Morton v Accies
  Partick v Rovers
Last Time Out
Killie saw off Dunfermline with a goal in each half from Kyle Lafferty and Oli Shaw in a one sided affair. It might have been a cricket score had it not been for Pars keeper Jakub Stolarczyk pulling off a string of super saves. Killie last five WWWDW
The Caley Jags threw away a two goal lead against Ayr United last week with a less than impressive second half performance. Shane Sutherland opened the scoring with his tenth goal this season and Logan Chalmers curled in a beauty from twenty two yards. Alas once Ayr changed their personnel at the interval we were second to every ball and got what we deserved. In fact we were left hanging on somewhat and were lucky to claim a point after goals from Fraser Bryden and Markus Fjortoft.
A better point for Ayr than it was for us. Inverness last five LWWWD
Logan's super strike...

Latest Team News
Killie have the luxury of a strength of depth squad and should have no fresh worries ahead of this game. They will also have the luxury of a big away support for this one and that 12th man could prove decisive.
Billy Dodds welcomed Roddy MacGregor back last weekend with a substitutes appearance for the talented midfielder. Scott Allardice was the only missing player last week but Aaron Doran was replaced at half-time, presumably injured.
Dodds looking forward to the clash
 
Here's Roddy talking about his time out
 
By tm4tj in Previews 2021-22 ·

Ayr United 2-2 Inverness CT

Points dropped
 
Inverness threw away two points with a desperately poor second half performance against Ayr United who thoroughly deserved their point as we regressed. We got off to the perfect start and were two ahead after only thirteen minutes through Shane Sutherland and Logan Chalmers with a wonderful strike into the top corner. Ayr shuffled their pack at the interval and it was only a matter of time before we were forced to hang on grimly for a point when we had three in the bag already. Goals from Fraser Bryden and Markus Fjortoft snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat for the Honest Men as we headed home with egg on our faces. The only thing that took the edge off throwing away points was Raith Rovers losing to Morton and Roddy MacGregor getting a run out as a second half sub after being out for months. A better more accomplished performance is required next Friday when Kilmarnock come North, the title on their fingertips.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An unchanged Inverness took to the field with Roddy MacGregor on the bench alongside Danny Devine and Austin Samuels. Sam Ashford returned for Ayr who had top scorer Tomi Adeloye on the bench.
A fast start for the visitors saw a Wallace Duffy effort blocked after a scramble in the Ayr box, and a couple of minutes later we were ahead after good work by Aaron Doran and Billy Mckay down the right side. Mckay's cross was turned in by Shane Sutherland for his ninth goal of the season.
Six minutes later it got even better when Logan Chalmers curled a beauty into the top corner from the edge of the box. What a start from the visitors. Could they capitalise on this.... Well, quite frankly no. Before half time it was evident that Ayr were determined to take something from this game and they looked the hungrier of the sides as we went into non contact second to every ball mode.
Half an hour in and Fraser Bryden saw a header saved by Cammy Mackay and at the other end Doran shot over the bar, but Ayr were on our case and our confidence looked fragile.
The half ended with Ayr threatening to take control of proceedings.
HALF TIME 0-2
Cameron Harper replaced Doran at the interval with Ayr bringing on Tomi Adeloye and Dair O'Connor. Was that the move that gave them the ascendency? Probably as we were now second to every ball and brushed off the ball easily at every opportunity.
Mackay pulled off a great save two minutes into the half from Kerr McInroy as Ayr swarmed all over us, and ten minutes after the break Fraser Bryden squeezed a close range shot into the net with our defence not covering themselves in glory after a cross from the right was not cleared.
Ayr pressure was mounting as we struggled to string two passes together and failed to hold onto the ball and Roddy MacGregor was introduced with twenty minutes remaining. More telling was Markus Fjortoft who joined the game after Roddy.
Three minutes later and he was knocking in the eagerly awaited equaliser as we capitulated. O'Connor had just had a shot saved by Mackay as the pressure mounted then McInroy crossed and substitute Fjortoft scored from close range, the defence looking at each other again as two points slipped away.
That woke us up a little and Harper might have done better than volley just over the bar and David Carson dragged a shot wide minutes later.
However, Ayr were not to be denied their hard earned point and there was a bonus for them with Killie beating Dunfermline 2-0. So, Ayr ease away from the bottom two and Inverness blunder their way clear in third place thanks to Raith losing this weekend.
Difficult to spot a MotM in a Jekyll and Hyde performance. Maybe the travelling fans that suffered the ecstasy and the agony of what feels like a defeat.
 
The Goals From Ayr TV
 

 
 
 
 
 
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts Table after today's games 1. Kilmarnock 33 19 6 8 46 23 63 2. Arbroath 33 15 14 4 45 25 59 3. Inverness CT 32 13 11 8 45 31 50 4. Partick Thistle 33 13 10 10 44 36 49 5. Raith Rovers 33 10 13 10 40 43 43 6. Morton 33 9 13 11 36 42 40 7. Hamilton Ac. 33 9 12 12 37 47 39 8. Ayr United 33 8 11 14 34 48 35 9. Dunfermline 33 6 14 13 33 49 32 10. Q.O.S. 32 6 8 18 30 46 26  
 
Date: 09/04/2022  Venue: Somerset Park, Ayr Attendance: 1756 Referee: Willie Collum 
 
Ayr United: 2
Manager: Lee Bullen Lineup:  McAdams; Houston (Fjortoft 72), McGinty (Baird 89), Muirhead, Reading, McKenzie (Adeloye 45), Kenyon (Smith 57), McInroy, Maxwell (O'Connor 45), Bryden, Ashford Subs (not used):  Albinson; Ecremont, Gondoh, Moffat,  Scorers: Bryden (54), Fjortoft (76) Booked: Smith (73) Sent Off:  Inverness CT: 2
Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup:  C Mackay; Carson (Devine 83), Duffy, Broadfoot, Deas, Doran (Harper 45), McAlear (Samuels 77), Welsh, Sutherland, Chalmers (MacGregor 71), B Mckay (Hardy 82) Subs (not used): Ridgers; Hyde, Walsh Scorers: Sutherland (6), Chalmers (13) Booked: none Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2021-22 ·

Ayr United -V- Inverness CT - Preview

PUSH FOR PROMOTION
 
Inverness make the trek to Ayr on Saturday as the season edges closer to a climax. Often a happy hunting ground for the Caley Jags, Somerset Park should hold no fears for Inverness as the campaign heads towards fever pitch with points important for both clubs. However, despite Inverness having the better stats in Ayr, the Honest men came North in mid February and took all three points South. It's a 3:00pm kick-off on Saturday.
MATCH/TICKET/STREAMING INFO
SUPPORTERS BUS INFO BELOW
DNIPRO KIDS AID - PAUL CHERRY
Bus to Ayr 9th April leaves Caley Club 9.15, stadium 9.30 with pick ups in Aviemore and Pitlochry. £20 a seat, £15 under 16s. Book through Facebook or on 07462218717.
Venue Head2Head v Ayr Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 22 10 10 2 36 22 +14 Away 22 10 5 7 42 28 +14 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 44 20 15 9 78 50 +28 Last 10 Competitive Meetings
1 - 2
(H)
2 - 2
(A)
1 - 0
(H)
2 - 2
(H)
2 - 0
(A)
1 - 1
(H)
0 - 1
(A)
2 - 0
(H)
2 - 0
(A)
1 - 1
(H) CTO report Aug21st 2021: Walsh nicks it: A slightly damp morning opening out into a muggy but calm afternoon in the Highlands made for near perfect conditions for this game. However, the football did not match the weather in a dour first half and it was goalless at the interval. Ayr rattled the top of the stand at the start of the second half as the game came to life. Tom Walsh looked to have opened the scoring when he bundled an inviting cross from Manny Duku behind the keeper after 54 minutes with Sean McGinty in close proximity trying to clear the ball. Joe Chalmers put a shot across the face of the Inverness goal that went narrowly wide. Walsh missed a glorious chance to double the lead moments later but pulled his shot across the face of the goal as well. Robbie Deas also missed an opportunity for a second goal, firing the ball over the bar from a great position inside the box. The game was more open but Inverness held on for their third 1-0 win of the season and top the league jointly with Killie.
CTO report Nov26th 2021: At a windy Somerset Park, Inverness took the lead early on when Sean Welsh met a Tom Walsh cross at the back post unchallenged to head into the net. The lead only lasted a couple of minutes as Joe Chalmers scored after a corner with a couple of defenders being grappled to the ground as Chalmers slotted home. Gardyne was causing all sorts of problems and his next angled cross into the box was missed by Mckay but it bounced through and into the goal to give the visitors the advantage at the break. Reading levelled with a low shot eight minutes into the second half, Ridgers not covering his near post sufficiently. No more scoring partly due to Aidan McAdams in the home goal and another great opportunity to get back on top went abegging with Partick winning 1-0 at Rugby Park.
CTO report Feb19th 2022: Ayr United took advantage of a midfield error and conceded corner from whence Sean McGinty headed the opening goal in a poor first half. McAdams saved Ayr before the interval with a great double save within ten seconds of each other as Inverness searched for an opening. Adeloye doubled the lead just after the hour seconds after coming on with Inverness in disarray. Lewis Nicolson struck with a first time cross that ended up in the top corner to throw Inverness a lifeline, but we remained winless in two months. Any hopes of promotion up in the Ayr.
So, honours even this season with one win apiece and a draw. All to play for on Saturday with Inverness on a three game winning run that sees us handily placed for a play-off place and Ayr struggling to stay above the play-off place at the wrong end of the table after only one win in their last five games and picking up only two points.
With Dunfermline beating Raith on Wednesday night, we have strengthened our claim for a top four finish. That could be further enhanced should faltering Partick drop more points on Friday night when they take on Queen of the South at Palmerston. The downside of Dunfermline winning is that it has plunged Ayr United into deep trouble and will amplify their resolve to take something from the game this weekend.
Latest News: Partick beat Queens in the Friday night game 1-0 at Palmerston with Queens missing a host of chances to score. That result puts Patick on 49 points alongside Inverness but it also gives Ayr plenty of incentive to get a result on Saturday to ease away from the bottom.
Last updated: 06.04.2022 at 16:36 Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts Queen of the South 0-1 Partick Thistle Friday night 1. Kilmarnock 32 18 6 8 44 23 60 2. Arbroath 32 14 14 4 44 25 56 3. Inverness CT 31 13 10 8 43 29 49 4. Partick Thistle 32 12 10 10 43 36 46 5. Raith Rovers 32 10 13 9 40 42 43 6. Hamilton Ac. 32 9 12 11 37 46 39 7. Morton 32 8 13 11 35 42 37 8. Ayr United 32 8 10 14 32 46 34 9. Dunfermline 32 6 14 12 33 47 32 10. Q.O.S. 31 6 8 17 30 45 26 SATURDAY 9TH APRIL
     Ayr United v Inverness CT
Hamilton v Arbroath
  Kilmarnock v Dunfermline
    Raith v Morton
Last Time Out
Ayr scored a last gasp equaliser against Hamilton last week through a superb strike from Kerr McInroy to earn a point in a 1-1 draw. Accies had led thanks to an early goal from Andy Winter. That followed a similar draw at Morton the previous week where Adeloye scored a late goal to earn a point. Looks like Ayr still have some fight in them with late goals in their last couple of games. Top scorer Tomi Adeloye is the man to watch and Kerr McInroy strikes a mean ball as well.
Inverness got a welcome third win on the bounce as they beat Dunfermline 2-0 with goals from Reece McAlear and Austin Samuels, his first for the club. McAlear's strike was a thunderblaster... He doesn't do tap-ins, the last one on this clip the stunner against the Pars.

Also against Dunfermline, Cammy Mackay showed why he is keeping Mark Ridgers on the bench

 
Latest Team News
Ayr are pleased to have Mikey Hewit back, so pleased he has been given a new three year deal. Striker Sam Ashford could return after suspension but midfielder Ben Dempsey is a doubt.
Inverness will be without the injured Scott Allardice who is out for the season. Unfortunately Sam Pearson's loan spell was ended prematurely due to a close family bereavement. The Welsh u21 international with potential in abundance has returned to Bristol City. Condolences to Sam and his Family. Roddy MacGregor should be back in training by now after a long lay off. OFFICIAL PREVIEW reveals all...
 
 
Eric's Ayr Raid
We last played Ayr on 19th February beyond the January transfer window..
The only addition to the squad is Alex Kenyon, a defensive midfield player who had previously been with Scunthorpe United and arrived at Somerset Park on 7th March.
Cheers Eck 
Get behind the team in the push for promotion.
The Supporters Travel Club are running buses to the final three away games of the season and all play-off games should we find ourselves involved.

 
 
 
 
 
LES FRIDGERABLES
A long time ago in a February far, far away, ICT were ten games without a win and the Shuffle panellists were asking whether a place in the playoffs was slipping away. A month later, on the back of three consecutive victories, we’re wondering whether we can steal second. Moff, Riley, AY and their special guest, ICTTV commentator Iain Auld, look back on a month of dramatically-shifting fortunes for the team, and shoehorn in a few tenuous movie references along the way. Action!
 
 
By tm4tj in Previews 2021-22 ·

Inverness CT 2-0 Dunfermline

Looking promising
 
Inverness took a massive step towards a play off place by defeating Dunfermline Athletic for the first time this season. An encouraging but goalless first half where Reece McAlear had hit the post was replaced by a two goal second half with chances at both ends. The deadlock was broken by a man who only scores screamers. Reece McAlear lashed the ball across the keeper and into the top right corner of the goal from a difficult position wide on the inside right area. What a strike that was but it only woke the Pars up from their lethargy and they had three or four great opportunities before substitute Austin Samuels sealed the points after he sprinted on to a through ball from Aaron Doran to slot neatly behind Mehmet in goal. Comfortable thereafter for the remainder of the game and an excellent three points to strengthen our hold on third place with Raith, Arbroath and Partick all dropping points.
Inverness were thin on the bench with Scott Allardice and Roddy Macgregor out longer term and Danny Devine, Joe Harper and Sam Pearson all missing. Dunfermline had Liam Polworth, Joe Chalmers and Col Donaldson starting with Nikolay Todorov on the bench.
An enterprising start to the game in bright sunshine saw plenty of crisp passing in the opening gambit with only the telling pass missing.
Denzil Mehmet was the first keeper called into serious action as he dived full length to keep out a low strike from Logan Chalmers on the left side of the box with the loose ball missing the strikers before being mopped up by the defence. You can see Denzil using anything to keep the ball out. Pic courtesy of CaleyJags.com.
Inverness were buzzing around the visitors box with plenty of movement up front, creating a few half chances. Aaron Doran scooping one just wide on the volley and Chalmers flashing a thumping drive just over the bar from the edge of the box.
Robbie Deas might have done better than lift a shot over the bar from ten yards as the hosts pressed for the opening goal and Doran again shot wide after good battling down the right touchline by Carson and Sutherland.
Reece McAlear almost scored with a spectacular curling free kick from the left of centre, his right foot shot coming back off the top of the post with Mehmet beaten; the ball bouncing back into the keepers arms after cannoning off a defender. He would do better in the second half, and what a strike it was.
HALF TIME: 0-0
Just before the hour, Inverness scored a contender for goal of the season. Sean Welsh's free kick came back off the wall some 28 yards from goal. Without breaking stride, McAlear turned onto the ball and fired an absolute rocket across the stunned keeper into the opposite side of the net. Mehmet rooted to the spot like a subbuteo keeper waiting for the strike. Boom! What a goal from Reece, his third or fourth contender of the season.
That sparked Dunfermline into life and Cammy Mackay did brilliantly to deny Dow and Todorov with point blank saves to keep Inverness ahead. It was bodies on the line time as the defenders guarded their keeper well and the Pars would rue those missed opportunities. 
Substitute Austin Samuels scored his first goal for the club just after coming on. His first kick of the ball saw him slot home after he had played a one-two with Doran who threaded the ball through for Samuels to run on and steer the ball behind the outrushing Mehmet. That goal took the sting out of the Pars and their discipline disintegrated, Donaldson in particular not enjoying his return to the Caledonian Stadium. 
How does it feel Austin?................ It feels good!
Tom Walsh almost benefited from a defensive lapse as he struck a sweet shot from twenty yards in injury time, but it just curled the wrong side of the post with Mehmet beaten. 
FULL TIME: 2-0
Great three points for the Caley Jags who have now won their last three in a row and are in prime spot for a shot at the play-offs.
Reece McAlear was MotM, even if it was just for his superb goal, but his overall performance was solid and he was unlucky with his free kick that crashed back off the post. Great contribution from Cammy Mackay who stayed alert to deny the Pars after we opened the scoring and well done to Wallace Duffy at centre back who never looked out of place and strolled through the game nullifying some dangerous forwards. No failures today and a decent performance to boot.
Reece the Thunderblaster...

Date: 26/03/2022  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2172 Referee: Graham Beaton 
 
Inverness CT: 2
Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup:  C Mackay; Carson, Duffy, Broadfoot, Deas, Doran (Walsh 81), Welsh, McAlear,  Sutherland, Chalmers (Harper 67), B Mckay (Samuels 76) Subs (not used):  Ridgers; Hyde Scorers: McAlear (58), Samuels (77) Booked: Samuels (83) Sent Off: none Dunfermline: 0
Manager: John Hughes Lineup:  Mehmet; Todd (Comrie 79), Donaldson, Ambrose (Cole 79), Edwards, Polworth (Todorov 63), Pybus, Chalmers, Lawless (Kamwa 59), Thomas (Dow 63), O'Hara Subs (not used): Archibald; Allan, Breen, Martin Scorers: none Booked: Donaldson (83), Pybus (90+1) Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2021-22 ·

Inverness CT -V- Dunfermline - Preview

Crucial Times Ahead
 
The big games keep coming as we reach the business end of the season, the intensity of this one heightened in midweek after the Pars thrashed Partick Thistle 4-1 on Tuesday night ahead of their visit to the Caledonian Stadium on Saturday. The game kicks off at 3:00pm with points vital for both sides for different reasons. John Hughes is the man tasked with saving Dunfermline's season and it's not all gone to plan so far, but the midweek rout of Partick is an untimely reminder that they can cause problems to the best sides in this division. How many people, like me, had the Pars down as one of the favourites to get promotion given the depth and quality of their squad. I certainly did not expect them to be exiting the Championship at the bottom end. Crazy season heading for a tense finish at both ends of the table.
MATCH/TICKETS/STREAMING INFO
OFFICIAL PREVIEW
NEW STRIP
SPORTS BAR
Venue Head 2 Head Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 22 9 8 5 28 21 +7 Away 24 9 10 5 29 26 +3 Neutral 2 0 1 1 3 4 -1 Total 48 18 19 11 60 51 +9 Last 10 Competitive Meetings v Pars
1 - 1
(A)
1 - 2
(H)
0 - 0
(A)
1 - 0
(A)
1 - 1
(H)
1 - 3
(A)
2 - 1
(A)
2 - 0
(H)
1 - 0
(A)
1 - 0
(H) The honours tilt towards us over the years, a far cry from our first taste of the big time when Dunfermline pumped us 4-0 at East End Park in our first game in Division one or the Championship as we know it now. August 7th 1999 with nearly 5,000 in attendance, steak bridies and all. At last we had made the big time....Alas, we had a lot to learn.  Click on the link below to see Ian Broadfoot's brief report as we ended the game with 10 men against an accomplished Dunfermline Athletic.
 Aug 7th League 0 - 4  (A)    4,865   Fast Forward to May 12th 2007 when Dunfermline were officially relegated after we beat them at the Caledonian Stadium; full report from Ian Broadfoot. Look at that crowd back in 2007, no doubt swelled by the Fifers as they tried to stave off relegation.
 May 12th League 2 - 1  (H)    6,464    
All games Saturday 3:00pm
    Arbroath v Raith Rvrs
Hamilton v Queens
       Killie v Partick 
   Morton v Ayr Utd
 Inverness CT v Dunfermline
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts   1. Kilmarnock 30 17 5 8 41 21 56 2. Arbroath 30 14 12 4 41 22 54 3. Inverness CT 30 12 10 8 41 29 46 4. Partick Thistle 30 12 9 9 42 34 45 5. Raith Rovers 30 10 12 8 37 37 42 6. Morton 30 8 11 11 33 40 35 7. Hamilton Ac. 30 8 11 11 35 45 35 8. Ayr United 30 8 8 14 30 44 32 9. Dunfermline 30 5 14 11 31 45 29 10. Q.O.S. 30 6 8 16 30 44 26 As a result of Dunfermline swatting away the Jags in midweek, all teams have now played 30 games with Inverness remaining in 3rd position whilst Partick and Raith capitulate. No room to crow about it though as we have only just returned to winning ways after a horrendous run of eleven games with no wins, taking only six points from a possible thirty three.
This season we have yet to beat the Pars. We were fortunate to draw 0-0 at East End Park in September as Dunfermline looked for their first win of the season after five games. We were top on 15 points, Dunfermline bottom with just two points after this one.
We went down 2-1 at the Caledonian Stadium in November after having led through a Billy Mckay goal. A Danny Devine og restored parity before a superb Dom Thomas solo goal clinched the points. Under Par: Inverness opened the scoring after probing well for over twenty minutes. Michael Gardyne drifted inside and the Pars defence opened up allowing him to get a shot away. It came back off the woodwork and Billy Mckay reacted first to knock the ball into the net. However, Dunfermline got their first win of the season as Inverness fired blanks thereafter, and goals from Kevin O'Hara assisted by a massive Danny Devine deflection and a great solo effort from Dom Thomas won the points for the Pars. Another bad day at the office continued with Inverness slipping to third following wins for Killie Raith and Partick.
The third encounter was a 1-1 draw at EEP: More points thrown away in our wasteful period in January. Inverness wasted an opportunity to put pressure on the top of the table after squandering a first half lead through Shane Sutherland. Steven Lawless levelled from the spot in the second half with ten minutes remaining after David Carson was adjudged to have blocked a cross with a flailing arm. Another drab performance after a first half full of promise. No surprise really given recent performances, but frustrating nonetheless.
So, time to redress the balance for this season as Dunfermline begin to realise the severity of their plight. 
Last Time Out
We came away with an unlikely three points after Logan Chalmers scored two spectacular goals in the dying embers of a game we looked like losing, even against ten men. Raith took an early lead through Aidan Connolly before Shane Sutherland stabbed in the equaliser. That was short lived as Poplatnik restored Raith's advantage before the break. A couple of enforced changes weakened Raith but we still struggled and even after Kyle Benedictus was red carded with twenty minutes to go we looked spent on ideas. Up popped Chalmers with two sweet left foot strikes to take the points North. That result came on the back of us ending our drought with a 3-0 win over Arbroath the week before to revive our flagging play-off hopes.
On yersel Logan

As said before, Dunfermline helped us out in midweek by thumping Partick thistle 4-1. More importantly they helped themselves massively and climbed off the foot of the table in doing so. Partick had opened the scoring with a strike from distance through Ross Docherty. They fought back and deservedly levelled with an og from Lewis Mayo. Mathew Todd scored a second for a rampant Pars in the first half followed by Josh Edwards. Man of the Match Dom Thomas scored a spectacular fourth in the second half to put the icing on the cake. Great result for the Pars led of course by none other that John Hughes, our former Scottish Cup winning manager. Dom Thomas' name has cropped up a lot recently and he will be worth watching as he has bagged a few special goals this season and is also well up on assists.
Latest Team News
Scott Allardice is out long term with Roddy MacGregor rumoured to be returned to full training. Possibly as you were if no fresh injuries are thrown into the mix, however some late fitness tests required according to Dodds. Sam Pearson is on international duty with Wales u21.
Billy Dodds ahead of Pars fixture
 
Steven Lawless had stitches inserted in a head wound picked up against Partick Thistle. Lewis McCann should come back into contention after being injured against Morton but the injury is not as serious as first feared (dislocation). Keeper Jakub Stolarczyc was on international duty with Poland's u21's in midweek and they have another game on Tuesday night although stand-in Deniz Mehmet did little wrong when called in to replace him against Partick.
Dunfermline last starting XI: Mehmet, Todd, Ambrose, Donaldson, Edwards, Pybus, Chalmers, Lawless, Polworth, Thomas, O’Hara
Some familiar names in there, with Toddy coming off the bench against Partick.
 
Eric the Stats Pars roundup
Changes to Dunfermline squad since we last met at East End Park
Departures
Owain Fon Williams - the one time ICT and Welsh international painter goalkeeper has left the East End Park club. In press release from DAFC on 28th February. " Dunfermline Athletic wish to announce that we have agreed to cancel Owain Fon Williams contract with effect from today. Owain wishes to leave for family reasons."
Vytas Gaspuitis - The defender left the club on the 18th March on a free transfer to play in his home country Lithuania with FA Siauliai
Kyle Macdonald - a right back who is now on loan at Airdrieonians.
Iain Wilson - Midfielder left on a free to join Greenock Morton.
Players in
Jakub Stolarczyk - Goalkeeping cover on loan from Leicester City U23.
Efe Ambrose - the centre back is on loan from St Johnstone
Liam Polworth - Well known Invernessian is on loan from Kilmarnock.
Joe Chalmers - Another familiar name to ICT fans, central midfield player joined DAFC from Ayr United for an undisclosed fee.
Bobby Kamwa - The 22 year old forward is on loan from Leeds United U23 for the remainder of the season
NEW STRIP INCOMING

Soft feel new texture finish – made from 100% Recycled Polyester mesh.   Wicking finish, keeps you cooler and drier for longer. Recycled rib contrast cuff detail. Raglan sleeve construction to back of shirt. Contrast elasticated tape hem detail to co-ordinate with shorts PUMA Cat Logo at right chest and on both sleeves.  
The words of the song on the strip. Oh well, it's the thought that counts I suppose😂
 
Pic: Trevor Martin
By tm4tj in Previews 2021-22 ·

Raith Rovers 2-3 Inverness CT - Report

Chalmers to the rescue as Raith see Red
 
The scrap for play-off places intensified as Inverness produced a smash and grab raid at Stark's Park. Rovers had led 2-1 at the interval through Connolly and Poplatnik with Sutherland scoring between those goals. Kyle Benedictus saw red with twenty minutes remaining and it looked like the game was slipping away from Inverness as they entered the 90th minute. Step forward substitute Logan Chalmers who single handedly won the game for the visitors with two outstanding goals. Both strikes hit with power, accuracy and a deadly left foot from distance. Not bad for your first goals for the club. Raith ended the game in total disarray as Ben Williamson was also sent off. Partick were humped 4-0 by Accies and we jump above them to third but Killie and Arbroath power on at the top of the table with wins.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inverness were still without midfielders Scott Allardice and Roddy MacGregor although the club have stated that MacGregor could be back in full training soon. Inverness were unchanged from the side that beat Arbroath 3-0. Which meant that Cammy Mackay kept Mark Ridgers on the bench. Raith had Ethan Ross back in attack with Varian and Poplatnik and a strong bench although only seven on it.
A beautiful Spring afternoon in Kirkaldy as the temperatures soared and greeted the teams as they took to the field. Inverness in their favoured pink strip started the day one point ahead of the dark blue Rovers. And it was Inverness that set the ball rolling at 3:00pm.
The visitors were first to threaten inside a minute when Doran and Hardy combined inside the box before it appeared that Hardy's shot came back off the woodwork before bouncing to safety.
Open start to the game from both sides who were on the front foot from the off.
Raith opened the scoring after the first corner. It was cleared to outside the box but Aidan Connolly drove towards goal where it looked as though it squirmed under Cammy Mackay and into the net. Looks like a blunder from the keeper inside a busy box.
Joe Hardy came close to an equaliser but Macdonald did well to save and then denied Sutherland on the follow up.
Keeper Jamie MacDonald had to be replaced after an injury forced him out of the game in a clash with Doran. Robbie Thomson replaced him.
Shane Sutherland tapped in after an Aaron Doran corner but the leveller was short lived as Matej Poplatnik put Raith back in front minutes later. Sloppy defending by Inverness once more.
Half Time: 2-1
Rovers were all over us like a rash at the start of the second half as we struggled to get a hold of the ball. A couple of efforts fired over the visitors  bar were warning enough and Austin Samuels came on for Joe Hardy ten minutes into the half.
Our attempts at creating anything were becoming predictable and time after time we wasted balls forward which were mopped up easily by defenders or substitute keeper Robbie Thomson.
So, long aimless ball after long aimless ball was proving to be a complete waste of time one hour into the game and it was becoming more difficult to see where a goal might come from.
An opportunity did materialise from one of those dubious offside interplays but Mackay bounced the ball just past the post as he was flattened on the edge of the box.
Cammy Mackay did well to turn a shot round the post for a corner as Rovers broke forward and they were reduced to ten men when Kyle Benedictus was sent off for a rash challenge on Kirk Broadfoot who reacted angrily and was yellow carded.
A scramble in the Raith box failed to produce a goal as Rovers managed to clear their lines calmly.
Austin Samuels shot over from the edge of the box as Inverness became more desperate in their efforts to level the game as we approached the eighty minute mark,  unfortunately our final ball left a lot to be desired. Time after time the final ball would skip through for a goal kick and another wasted chance. It was a difficult watch to be honest, even against ten men.
Out of the blue, Logan Chalmers scored a beauty after a corner found him outside the box some twenty five yards out on the left side. He looked up and sent a beauty dipping into the net, unbelievable strike.
Even more unbelievable, Logan Chalmers scored another peach from nearly the same position. This time he arrowed a low strike into the bottom corner for another superb goal. A daisy cutter on an artificial pitch, that's a first.🌼
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Raith's Williamson then joined Benedictus for an early bath with seconds remaining.
What a turnaround at the end as Raith finally lost their discipline but it took two spectacular goals from on loan striker Logan Chalmers to win the points when it looked like we were heading for defeat and a disappointing performance. It might be seen as papering over the cracks for now, but I'll take that over a disappointing defeat.
Raith ended the game with nine men as Ben Williamson was sent off with the last puff of the whistle, their search for a win over Inverness heading towards 22 years and counting.
 
MotM might well go to Chalmers for his two late strikes as prior to that we looked incapable of breaking down Rovers, even when they were reduced to ten men.
Billy Dodds post match

Match Reaction to follow...
Scenes...
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts   1. Kilmarnock 30 17 5 8 41 21 56 2. Arbroath 30 14 12 4 41 22 54 3. Inverness CT 30 12 10 8 41 29 46 4. Partick Thistle 29 12 9 8 41 30 45 5. Raith Rovers 30 10 12 8 37 37 42 6. Morton 30 8 11 11 33 40 35 7. Hamilton Ac. 30 8 11 11 35 45 35 8. Ayr United 30 8 8 14 30 44 32 9. Q.O.S. 30 6 8 16 30 44 26 10. Dunfermline 29 4 14 11 27 44 26 *Dunfermline v Partick on Tuesday night*
Next Saturday
        Arbroath v Raith Rovers
Hamilton v Queens
Inverness CT v Dunfermline
      Killie v Partick
  Morton v Ayr Utd
 
Full Highlights from Raith TV
 
John McGlynn speaking on Raith TV
 
Date: 19/03/2022  Venue: Stark's Park, Kirkaldy Attendance: 1591 Referee: Colin Steven
 
Raith Rovers: 2
Manager: John McGlynn Lineup:  MacDonald (Thomson 24); Musonda, Berra (Tumilty 38), Benedictus, Mackie, Connolly, Williamson, Stanton, Varian, Poplatnik (Dick 73), Ross (Mathews 73) Subs (not used):  Young, Arnott, Zanatta Scorers: Connolly (13), Poplatnik (30) Booked: Stanton (20), Williamson (56), Dick (90+3) Sent Off: Benedictus (71), Williamson (90+4) Inverness CT: 3
Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup:  C Mackay; Carson, Broadfoot, Devine (Harper 66) Deas, Hardy (Samuels 54), Welsh, McAlear, Doran (Chalmers 66), Sutherland (Walsh 77) Mckay Subs (not used): Ridgers; Hyde, Pearson, Duffy, Samuels Scorers: Sutherland (27), Chalmers (89, 90+2), McAlear (90+5) Booked: Welsh (70), Broadfoot (71), Samuels (76) Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2021-22 ·

Raith Rovers -V- Inverness CT - Preview

The Good the Bad and Raith Rovers 
 
With both clubs recording their first win in 2022, this clash could go a long way to deciding who has the bottle for the battle. Saturday 3:00pm at Starks Park should reveal all as good takes on bad, or Inverness versus Raith Rovers, a club apparently with the morals of Michael Gardyne. Both clubs have underperformed over the last three months but surprisingly still find themselves in contention for a play-off spot, realistically fourth place.
MATCH/TICKET/STREAMING/BUS INFO
OFFICIAL PREVIEW
SUPPORTERS BUS 07462218717
Raith Rovers bus 19th March leaves Caley Club 10.30, stadium 10.45. Picking up in Aviemore and Pitlochry. £20 and £15 for under 16s. Book through Facebook or on 07462218717
Venue Head2Head Pld Won Drn Lst For Agst + / - Home 19 13 4 2 37 14 +23 Away 14 7 4 3 27 17 +10 Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 33 20 8 5 64 31 +33 Yes, the stats are not faulty: Raith Rovers have not beaten Inverness for almost twenty one and a half years. Incredible run of results going back to October 28th 2000 when we went down 1-2 in Inverness. Back to August of 2000 for their last win at Starks park and here is Ian Broadfoot's match report from that game, a 4-1 win for Raith: Caley Thistle's bad run continued against a sharp Raith side. Jay Stein set up the opening goal in 10 minutes with a run down the left and a cut back which deflected to Ray McKinnon and he scored with a low drive. The visitors best first half effort came in 27 minutes when Van de Kamp spectacularly saved a Davide Xausa 25 yard shot. On 44 minutes a free kick was touched to Kenny Black and Les Fridge tipped his shot over the bar. Raith killed the game off in a four minute spell in the second half. In 50 minutes a low ball from the right was punched by Fridge into the path of Paul Tosh who hit it home. Four minutes later Alex Burns beat three men in the box before scoring at the second attempt. Iain Stewart clawed one back with a close range header in 59 minutes after a Xausa shot had been blocked by the keeper. This sparked a revival with good efforts from Xausa and lively substitute Barry Robson. All efforts produced no more goals and Raith made it 4-1 in 82 minutes. Alex Burns crossed from the right and found Gerry Creaney who scored with a low shot from 15 yards. 
Decent teams back then 
Raith: Van de Kamp; McCulloch, Opinel, Gaughn, Browne, Black, S Tosh, McKinnon, P Tosh, Burns, Stein
Inverness: Fridge; Tokely, Mann, Hastings, Golabek, Christie, Sheerin, Byers, McBain, Stewart, Xausa
Subs: Calder; Robson, Bagan, Bavidge, Wyness
Last 10 Competitive Meetings
1 - 1
(H)
0 - 0
(H)
1 - 1
(A)
1 - 0
(H)
1 - 0
(A)
0 - 0
(H)
2 - 0
(H)
3 - 3
(A)
4 - 1
(H)
2 - 1
(H) Saturday 3:00pm kick offs
Arbroath v Ayr United
   Killie v Queens
Partick v Accies 
  Rovers v Caley J's
Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts      DUNFERMLINE Ath v MORTON (Fri 7:45pm) 1. Kilmarnock 29 16 5 8 39 20 53 2. Arbroath 29 13 12 4 40 22 51 3. Partick Thistle 28 12 9 7 41 26 45 4. Inverness CT 29 11 10 8 38 27 43 5. Raith Rovers 29 10 12 7 35 34 42 6. Morton 29 8 10 11 32 39 34 7. Ayr United 29 8 8 13 30 43 32 8. Hamilton Ac. 29 7 11 11 31 45 32 9. Q.O.S. 29 6 8 15 29 42 26 10. Dunfermline 28 4 13 11 26 43 25 Last Time Out
Inverness broke their eleven game run without a win by beating title challengers Arbroath with a somewhat flattering but nonetheless welcome 3-0 win. An early goal by Man of the Match Shane Sutherland was followed soon after by a Reece McAlear strike following a neat move involving Shane and David Carson. We reverted to type after that and the ball was like a hot potato as it was battered skywards with great regularity. However we repelled the advances of Arbroath without too much hassle and Billy Mckay sneaked a third goal as we started to dominate with twenty minutes left.
Get in Reece as he finishes off a tidy move down the right...

Raith also ended a similar barren spell (first win in twelve) by beating Queen of the South 1-0 at Palmerston to remain only one point behind Inverness in fifth place. The only goal of the game came in the first half through Matej Poplatnik.
The honours are favouring Inverness this season in league games. Inverness edged the first one in the Highlands with a Roddy MacGregor special doing the damage, but the two subsequent meetings ended in draws. There was also a drawn Challenge Cup game at Starks Park which Raith eventually won on penalties. 
Latest Team News
Allardice and MacGregor out longer term, but unless there are any new issues Dodds should have a relatively injury free squad. Cammy Mackay could well continue in goal as he has done well since getting his opportunity through Mark Ridgers downtime. Sam Pearson has been called up to the Welsh u21 squad for forthcoming games against Switzerland and Bulgaria. Read Here Unfortunately it rules him out after the Raith game and he is unavailable for the Dunfermline game on 26th March.

Former Raith Rovers player Paul Hampshire passed away at the weekend after an accident. RIP Paul condolences to all.
Here's an obituary from John Greer on Raith Rovers FC Website. PAUL HAMPSHIRE
Raith TV McGlynn Preview (we have our own injuries/illnesses)
Eric the Stats Raith round up.
In: Sam Stanton, midfielder (Dundalk); Jamie Gullan, forward (Hibernian)
Loan: Ben Williamson - midfielder (Rangers).
Sean Mackie - a left back on loan from Hibernian FC, originally joined Raith in 2015 from the Fife Elite Academy before moving to Hibs the next season, according to sources his last 2 years at Hibs has been blighted by injury.
And last but not least; In & Out;  the Hokey Cokey saga of David Goodwillie. Yes, the in-out, in-out, shake it all about transfer that rocked the club back onto it's heels and brought out some embarrassing grovelling apologies. He went back to Clyde (loan) and his career is on hold as a footballer I believe as he is not welcome there either.
 
Out:
Adam Masson - Centre back on loan to Thornton Hibs JFC
Blaise Riley Snow - Midfielder on loan to Alloa Athletic
Kieran Mitchell - the 18 year old is on loan to Bo'ness United
Luke Mahady - a centre forward loaned out to Burntisland Shipyard FC
Quinn Coulson - left wing player farmed out to Cowdenbeath
James Keatings has severed his ties with Raith, mainly due to injury
 
 
By tm4tj in Previews 2021-22 ·

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