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Ayr United -V- Inverness CT

Should Auld Acquaintances be forgot...
 
We travel to Somerset Park, Ayr on Saturday for a 3:00pm kick-off against the Honest Men and renew acquaintances with a couple of former colleagues, namely Tom Walsh and Joe Chalmers.
It's been a difficult few weeks for the Caley Jags with postponements in abundance although we did return to action in midweek after the big freeze relented. Unfortunately, despite dominating the game, we went down 1-0 to Queen of the South when Nortei Nortey scored his first goal for the Doonhamers. We seemed to lack composure or pick the right ball as we failed to unlock the visitors defence and resorted to shooting from distance which keeper Ferguson dealt with comfortably. Failing that, many of our efforts were blocked before troubling the keeper or blazed high and wide which meant a frustrating night all round for the Caley Jags and their supporters.
Ayr have not played since losing narrowly to Hearts a couple of weeks ago, a Liam Boyce penalty the only difference between the sides.
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OFFICIAL PREVIEW
Ayr United PPV £12.50
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Last 10 Competitive Meetings against Ayr United going back to August 2018
1 - 1
(H)
0 - 1
(A)
2 - 0
(H)
2 - 0
(A)
1 - 1
(H)
3 - 1
(A)
1 - 0
(A)
3 - 2
(A)
1 - 0
(H)
0 - 0
(H) Incidentally, that 1-0 defeat shown in the above stats for January 2020 was the first win for Ayr in 17 years covering 14 games. We drew the first encounter this season in the Highlands when Nokolay Todorove earned a point with an 86th minute goal after Innes Cameron gave United the lead around the hour.
All fixtures on Saturday at 3:00pm
Ayr United v Inverness CT
Arbroath v Raith Rovers
Dundee v Queen of the South
Dunfermline v Alloa Athletic
Hearts v Morton
 
Latest Team News
Robbo will be without the usual long term crocks, Kevin McHattie and Lewis Toshney (is he a real thing). Add Aaron Doran and recent loan signing Anthony McDonald to that list. James Vincent is a new short term casualty, another training ground injury. Good to see David Carson back on the pitch in midweek, his energy has been missed. Looks like more game time coming for our youngsters over the next few weeks which will see two games a week for the foreseeable future.
Mark Kerr has defender Jordan Houston returning to the squad after injury. We know all about the dangers that Walsh and Chalmers possess but there's more to United than that. Former Aberdeen and Dundee United forward Cammy Smith will cause problems and never write off veteran Michael Moffat. Young keeper Sinisalo is also proving to be an excellent shot stopper. The team that night v Hearts: Sinisalo, Miller, Muirhead, Baird, Ndaba, Chalmers (McGavin 79′), Murdoch, Walsh (Moffat 74′), Smith, McCowan, Wright.
Robbo talking ahead of the trip to Ayr...

By tm4tj in Previews 2020-21 ·

Inverness CT 0-1 Queen of the South - Report

Ring Rusty Caley Jags Hamered Doon.
 
Despite the hosts having the better chances, including Miles Storey hitting the bar and Ferguson making some excellent saves, the first half ended goalless. The deadlock was broken just after the hour when Nortei Nortey ran through to score his first goal for Queens. Plenty of effort but not enough guile or composure and lots of misfortune saw Inverness take nothing from this game as the Doonhamers held on for all three points. That result leaves Inverness still second bottom although the table is a mess with postponed games.
RIG has this report ready:
The stunning lack of creativity in this team was on full display tonight. We might have been missing players but so were QotS so I am not having that as an excuse. Storey and Mackay, whilst willing and hard working on the flanks did not create enough throughout the time they were on the pitch to have us in a more comfortable position. A good cross by Mackay in the first half which found Storey who saw his effort deflect over / wide was as good as it got. When MacGregor came on later on and popped up on the left side he was continuously looking to cut back in on his right and with no support down the left side he was easily nullified.  Keatings, despite a nice effort from a free kick in the second half, was largely anonymous and there was a huge gap between him as the 10 and the 6 and 8 at the base of the middle triangle. 
Defensively I thought we were mostly fine save for the moment that mattered. Grim defending and after that Queens sat back with 9 men behind the ball and challenged an insipid ICT, who had struggled to break them down for most of the game prior to the goal, to work their way through a superbly drilled defensive line. Needless to say it did not go well for us although Harper put in a nice ball for Toddy who probably should have scored.  Apart from that though...
For all our possession, as alluded to above, we did previous little with it and as such I cannot begrudge Queens the win. Maybe if we had created numerous great chances and Ferguson had pulled off a string of saves then I might feel aggrieved at being "robbed" but from the small number of really good chances we did have I cannot recall him being overly troubled.
The action from Wednesday night...
 
 
OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT FROM ICTFC
 
Thoughts from CTO
doofers dad: We've played worse than that and won.  I thought we had some decent build up play and put them under a lot of pressure, but too often we hadn't got the close control or inventiveness to create clear cut chances.  Then when we did shoot, the shooting was woeful. Maybe lacking a bit of confidence and match sharpness, but we don't have anybody who looks as though they could score goals on a regular basis and that's a worry.  
Stirling Observer: Positive me thinks there is a decent team there and it's down to a lack of match practice and sharpness due to the fragmented number of games over the last 2 months. I am hopeful it will click into place and we will hit a run of form and climb table.
Negative me thinks our central defence is worryingly soft, we have a lack of wingers to create anything, we have a lack of a goalscorer. We are in for a relegation battle or at best a low placed finish.
 
There's also a lot of unhappy bunnies on the forums, only time will tell which faction have the right end of the stick.
 
 
 
Date: 17/02/2021  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 0000 Referee: David Lowe 
 
Inverness CT: 0
Manager: John Robertson Lineup:  Ridgers; Duffy, B Mckay, Deas, Harper, D Mackay (MacGregor 73), Welsh (Carson 78), Allardice, Sutherland, Keatings (Todorov )73, Storey Subs (not used):  C Mackay; Devine, Nicolson, Hyde Scorers: none Booked: Todorov (87), Allardice (90+5) Sent Off: none Queen of the South: 1
Manager: Allan Johnston Lineup:  Ferguson; Gibson, Buchanan, Breen, Maxwell, Nortey, Obileye, Jones (Goss 77), McGrory (McMahon 90+5), East, Dobbie (Joseph 60). Subs (not used):  Rae; McKechnie, Camara Sylla. Scorers: Nortey (63) Booked: Maxwell (35), Obileye (87), Joseph (89) Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2020-21 ·

Inverness CT -V- Queen of the South - Preview

Third time lucky
 
This fixture is looking like it might beat the pandemic, snow, ice and water and is scheduled to be played on Wednesday evening with a 6:30pm kick-off. That is unless the strong winds force another postponement. 
The original preview is still mostly relevant apart from a couple of fairly serious injuries to a couple of Caley Thistle players. 
First the good news: We have signed Anthony McDonald on loan from Hearts and there is no pitch inspection planned......yet.
Now the bad news: Anthony McDonald is injured and possibly out for most of the season with suspected knee cartilage/ligament damage. Aaron Doran has a torn thigh muscle. Both were injured in separate incidents during training on the artificial surface at the indoor facility and both will be out for a lengthy spell. 
With Kai Kennedy now at Raith Rovers, the new injuries leave us short on suppliers for the strikers. Maybe David Carson will be fit enough to start, but like most of the squad, match sharpness will be an issue. Plenty room for the young team to get back into the starting XI and give Robbo some food for thought. James Keatings was a casualty after 20 minutes of the Arbroath game, so he might be missing as well. It might be easier to check and see who is not fit......
Queen of the South are a different beast from the team we swept aside 3-0 at Palmerston back on the 4th December. Players like Dapo Awokoya-Mebude, Isaiah Jones, Ayo Obileye and Connor Shields are making the Doonhamers tick along nicely and have added a goal threat to the Queens attack. Not household names, but certainly giving the Dumfries side a lift, especially with goal machine Stephen Dobbie missing a few games through injury. Of course, Mebude might have a problem should his partying be deemed naughty. He might have to sit this one out. Up to the officials to sort that one out.
Queens come North on the back of contrasting results. A 2-1 win over Morton, a defeat at Alloa by the same score and an excellent draw against Hearts where it took a 90th minute penalty for the Jambo's to rescue a point.
We enter this game after a 1-1 draw at Gayfield followed by two postponements. 
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OFFICIAL PREVIEW
PPV £10, (cheap at half the price)
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Previously: Queens of the ice age frozen off...***GAME OFF*** (30th January)
Another rearranged game due to go ahead on Saturday afternoon with Queen of the South the visitors. Should snow, ice, rain, covid or road blockages not stop this one, it is scheduled to kick-off at 3:00pm with live streaming available from Caley Jags TV.  Pixie Lott for a £10er.
However, let's not get ahead of ourselves as the words that we all dread have been uttered by the club. "There will be a pitch inspection at 9am tomorrow morning ahead of the match against Queen of the South".  Now there's a surprise! 
It could be an opportunity for us to bounce back after a disappointing draw against the ten men of Morton. Easier said than done given our lack of game time over the last month.
Last 10 Competitive Meetings against Queen of the South back to Jan 13th 2018
3 - 0
(A)
3 - 1
(H)
2 - 0
(A)
2 - 0
(H)
2 - 0
(A)
1 - 2
(H)
3 - 3
(A)
0 - 0
(H)
2 - 0
(A)
3 - 1
(H) At Cappielow we were without Brad Mckay and more importantly striker Miles Storey. With Kai Kennedy off to Raith Rovers, we were bereft of the guile needed to prize open a stubborn defence, and when we did, a lack of composure ensured we would not run away with the game despite the Ton being a man short for over half of the match. All this has not best pleased Robbo who has let them know in no uncertain terms that it's simply not good enough to just turn up and claim the points.
You tell them John...
Queens are on a bit of a roll since we last played them on December 4th. They took a thrashing at Tynecastle the week after (6-1) then lost to Morton and Dundee. However, since then they beat Raith Rovers 0-2 on 29th December, they have been on the up. Victories over Ayr United, Queens Park and Morton along with a draw against Arbroath have lifted them above Inverness in the table although we do have three games in hand. In fact we have games in hand over everyone, but that does not equate to points in the bag; think Morton in midweek.
Connor Shields is the man on form just now and Queens now seem to have enough talent on board to ease away from the relegation area. Shields has nine goals this season, and more worrying for us seven in the last six games since Xmas.
Team news not forthcoming but Robbo hinted at some changes after the slackness at Cappielow.
I'll keep it short as there is no guarantee the game will go ahead, so look out early morning for any news from ICT FC.
 
By tm4tj in Previews 2020-21 ·

Arbroath 1-1 Inverness CT - Report

Blown Away
 
Arbroath came off the foot of the table at the weekend after beating Morton, something Inverness had failed to do one week ago. Inverness were starting to flirt with the wrong end of the table after the Morton result. A windy encounter saw Jack Hamilton gave the hosts the lead right on the interval, punishing some weak defending to slot home. Just after the break Shane Sutherland headed Inverness level.
This game was carried forward from 2nd January when a frozen pitch saw the game called off.
John Robertson had to make some defensive alterations with Robbie Deas and Daniel Devine missing. In came Brad Mckay and striker come centre half Nikolay Todorov. Miles Storey returned to action up front with Doran, MacGregor, Allardice and Carson on the bench.
Dick Campbell handed Jack Hamilton his home debut with bin man Linn the wide provider. Plenty experience on the bench as well with Gavin Swankie and Kris Doolan.
A very windy but dry Gayfield met the sides as the game kicked off with Alan Newlands the man in charge.
First big chance of the game fell to Jack Hamilton but he mishit a Bobby Linn cross from six yards when it looked easier to score.
The strength of the wind was evident when big Mark Ridgers struggled to get the ball thirty yards up the park from a goal kick before the wind halted the ball. Gaston on the other hand had no problem getting the ball to land in Ridgers' box. Aye, we all knew the weather would be a problem, let's see who masters it best.
A strong burst on the deck down the left was the best we mustered after fifteen minutes but Storey's cross went behind.
The pace of the game was dictated by the conditions and a midfield battle ensued with some untidy tackles ending in numerous free kicks. one such incident saw Keatings replaced by Scott Allardice after 25 minutes.
Ridgers had to grab a corner kick from right under the bar as Arbroath got two corners in succession, the second one swirling into the box dangerously, a third soon followed as Linn curled a ball across the box that evaded everyone.
Similar to Hamilton's early miss, Storey swung a ball into the box and Daniel Mackay couldn't get enough contact under challenge and the chance evaporated.
A slack clearance in our box offered a glimmer of a chance to the Smokies five minutes before the break, but the loose ball was eventually cleared.
Most Inverness bursts forward were going through Storey but the final ball is not forthcoming.
Just on the interval, Arbroath opened the scoring through Jack Hamilton. He held off a weak challenge on the edge of the box before cutting a low ball back across Ridgers and into the back of the net.
The jovial commentators enjoyed that as they headed for half a coo and bread as the interval came along
Half Time 1-0
Half cow scoffed and there were no changes at the break, but the visitors squared the game within three minutes when Shane Sutherland headed a Cameron Harper cross in from close range.
Good pressure from the Caley Jags kept Arbroath hemmed in and ended with Allardice rifling a shot across the keeper and just wide of the far post.
Sutherland found himself without a marker at the far post from a Harper free kick, but unfortunately he fluffed his lines and the ball trundled into the keepers hands.
Hamilton missed a sitter from six yards when he headed a tempting cross well over the bar.
At the other end a Sutherland shot was charged down then another effort was put behind by Gaston, the corner wasted.
Allardice's tenacity saw the home defence make a couple of blocks as we looked to get our noses in front with about ten minutes left and Cammy Harper forced Gaston into a routine save.
Kris Doolan does like a goal against Inverness and he almost snatched the win but his shot bounced back off the base of the post with Ridgers beaten. Let off for the visitors.
A couple of late corners came and went for Inverness but to no avail and a share of the points it was.
Full Time 1-1
A draw about right but Arbroath will rue missing the better chances. I suppose a point in these conditions is fair enough for the endeavour on the park and hopefully everyone avoided hypothermia.
Highlights can be seen at ArbroathFCTV
Robbo talking post match
 
Date: 03/02/2021 Venue: Gayfield, Arbroath Attendance: 000 Referee: Alan Newlands
 
Arbroath Fc: 1
Manager: Dick Campbell Lineup:  Gaston; Thomson, Little, O’Brien, C Hamilton, McKenna, Craigen, Williamson, Hilson (Doolan 80), J Hamilton (Donnelly 80), Linn (Stewart 61) Subs (not used):   Gallagher, Swankie, Gold, Whatley Scorers: Jack Hamilton (45) Booked: none Sent Off: none  Inverness CT: 1
Manager: John Robertson Lineup:  Ridgers; Duffy, B Mckay, Todorov, Harper, Welsh, Vincent, Keatings (Allardice 22), Sutherland, D Mackay (Doran 71), Storey Subs (not used): C Mackay; Nicolson, Fyffe, Carson, MacGregor Scorers: Sutherland (48) Booked: Duffy (68) Sent Off: none a
By tm4tj in Reports 2020-21 ·

Arbroath -V- Inverness CT - Preview

As Robert the Bruce said....
 
If at first you don't succeed.....
It's the second time of asking and we are due to play Arbroath at Gayfield on Wednesday night with a 7:45pm kick-off. This game was re-scheduled from 2nd January due to a frozen pitch on that occasion. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PPV from Arbroath FC TV @ £12
Official Preview
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To be perfectly honest, our season is in absolute disarray at the moment with re-scheduled games in abundance. Add in Scottish Cup ties that were postponed, then put on hold, this campaign is a disaster for the Caley Jags. On top of that, our inability to attract players North during the pandemic is a cause for concern when all around us are strengthening their squads. It has certainly raised a few eyebrows and we could be in more danger of staving off relegation than pushing for a top four finish.
One bright note is that Scott Allardice has signed on for another couple of years. He has been one of our better bargains and is well worth the contract.
Last time out we drew 2-2 at Morton. That may have been seen as a decent result, but when you consider that we threw away a 2-1 lead against ten men for fifty minutes then it simply was not good enough. A point not lost on manager John Robertson who was unusually despondent after the game.
Last 10 Competitive Meetings against Arbroath. Click on scores to open out further options.
3 - 1
(H)
0 - 1
(H)
0 - 3
(A)
2 - 1
(H)
0 - 3
(H)
7 - 0
(H)
2 - 0
(A)
2 - 2
(A)
3 - 1
(H)
3 - 1
(A) We did manage to play Arbroath earlier in the season and eased to a 3-1 win in the Highlands. Dan Mackay, Scott Allardice and Nikolay Todorov were the scorers. Allardice's goal was his first for the Caley Jags and what a thumper it was. Kris Doolan scored the opener for Arbroath while Pixellot were following the linesmans head.
The Red Lichties last outing was a bonus for them as they beat the very same Morton that we failed to beat at Cappielow. Loan signing Jack Hamilton opened his Smokies account after coming in from Livingston. That result lifted Arbroath off the foot of the table. Incidentally, that was Hamilton's 11th goal of the season, a man worth watching. He had previously been on loan at East Fife and did well up here in the League Cup group stages with the Fifers. Lichties two games before the win at Morton were draws with Dundee and Queen of the South.
 
By tm4tj in Previews 2020-21 ·

Inverness CT -V- Queen of the South - Postponed

Queens of the ice age frozen off.
***POSTPONED***
Another rearranged game due to go ahead on Saturday afternoon with Queen of the South the visitors. Should snow, ice, covid or road blockages not stop this one, it is scheduled to kick-off at 3:00pm with live streaming available from Caley Jags TV - Pixie Lott for a £10er.
However, let's not get ahead of ourselves as the words that we all dread have been uttered by the club. "There will be a pitch inspection at 9am tomorrow morning ahead of the match against Queen of the South".  Now there's a surprise!
It could be an opportunity for us to bounce back after a disappointing draw against the ten men of Morton. Easier said than done given our lack of game time over the last month.
Last 10 Competitive Meetings against Queen of the South back to Jan 13th 2018
3 - 0
(A)
3 - 1
(H)
2 - 0
(A)
2 - 0
(H)
2 - 0
(A)
1 - 2
(H)
3 - 3
(A)
0 - 0
(H)
2 - 0
(A)
3 - 1
(H) At Cappielow we were without Brad Mckay and more importantly striker Miles Storey. With Kai Kennedy off to Raith Rovers, we were bereft of the guile needed to prize open a stubborn defence, and when we did, a lack of composure ensured we would not run away with the game despite the Ton being a man short for over half of the match. All this has not best pleased Robbo who has let them know in no uncertain terms that it's simply not good enough to just turn up and claim the points.
You tell them John...
Queens are on a bit of a roll since we last played them on December 4th. They took a thrashing at Tynecastle the week after (6-1) then lost to Morton and Dundee. However, since then they beat Raith Rovers 0-2 on 29th December, they have been on the up. Victories over Ayr United, Queens Park and Morton along with a draw against Arbroath have lifted them above Inverness in the table although we do have three games in hand. In fact we have games in hand over everyone, but that does not equate to points in the bag; think Morton in midweek.
Connor Shields is the man on form just now and Queens now seem to have enough talent on board to ease away from the relegation area. Shields has nine goals this season, and more worrying for us seven in the last six games since Xmas.
Team news not forthcoming but Robbo hinted at some changes after the slackness at Cappielow.
I'll keep it short as there is no guarantee the game will go ahead, so look out early morning for any news from ICT FC.
By tm4tj in Previews 2020-21 ·

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