One step Closer

This was the ninth meeting between these two sides and the most crucial given what was at stake for both teams. For the Caley Jags, they are focussed on one thing, promotion, and the result at Cove v Stenhousemuir will be secondmost on their minds. Kelty will be fully committed to the task in hand whilst keeping an eye on events at Cove and Montrose v Accies where their closest relegation rivals will be battling for points.

It was a tight affair as we suspected and it took an own goal to separate the sides after a less than impressive first half in the swirling conditions. It happened at the far end and it took a while to decide but the goal has been credited to Alex Ferguson following a corner. (Bet he wishes he had stayed at Manchester United) Who knows, we never had binoculars. The goal followed on from the best effort of the game so far when Kyle Gourlay denied Adam MacKinnon with a great low save in the bottom corner, the result was a Paul Allan corner kick to Inverness. The rest is history. That's how it ended with little goalmouth action although Kelty came close with a shot from distance that curled just wide of the top corner. Phew! That was the closest they came and a big warning to us.

With Stenhousemuir losing at Cove and Accies winning at Montrose, promotion and relegation have become a little clearer but nothing finalised yet with only two games remaining.

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A chilly afternoon on the Moray Firth greeted the teams with April showers and blustery winds forecast for the afternoon and Kelty meant business by changing ends before kick-off. Full report to follow but to be honest, the first half was tense and dull where virtually nothing happened. An early warning for us as we had to clear one away yards from goal and a similar effort for us at the other end. A Zimba effort held by Kyle Gourlay was the only moment of note in a terrible first forty-five. Maybe the swirling wind had something to do with it but it was a total non event. The pace improved after the break but like Talking Heads, it was still tense and nervous, we can't relax... The introduction of MacIntyre and Longstaff at the interval gave us more width and it seemed to inject a bit more life about proceedings but still not exactly a riot like we showed at Peterhead. Lewis Moore had an effort saved comfortably by Ross Munro before it took the introduction of MacKinnon to put the final piece of the jigsaw in place and he was instrumental in bringing about the only goal of the game. At last we saw some good build up play and MacKinnon's shot was well saved by Gourlay just inside the post at the expense of a corner. Not for the first time this season, Paul Allan's inswinging corner landed right on top of the goalline and it looked like the ball has come off Alex Ferguson before entering the net. Pin point accuracy from Allan and just the break we needed although Allan is still trying to clam the goal. Not a game for taking unnecessary risks and our defence limited Kelty to very few opportunities, one of those a shot that whistled close to the junction of crossbar and post. That was a timely reminder we still had work to do as Bavidge headed over and Longstaff skied one after good interplay outside the box. As they have done most of the season, our defence stood firm with Kelty not looking likely to get back on level terms and it was a massive three points combined with the news that Stenhousemuir had been beaten 2-0 at Cove.

FULL TIME: 1-0

It's not very clear but appears to be an og. Either way a massive 3points

Footage from Kelty Hearts

Date:  18/04/2026  Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2405 Referee: Colin Steven 
 
Inverness CT: 1

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; Millen, Devine, Savage, Robertson (MacIntyre 46), MacLeod, Allan,

• Stewart (MacKinnon 56), Alonge (Longstaff 46), Bavidge (B Mckay 89), Zimba (Wotherspoon 77)

• Subs (not used):  Ross; Brannan, Willox, Chalmers

• Scorers: Ferguson (61 og)

• Booked: MacKinnon (90+1)

• Sent Off: none

Kelty Hearts: 0

• Manager: Thomas O'Ware

• Lineup: Gourlay; Pettifer (Cunningham 76), Brydon, Corr (Wylie 65), Fisher, Ferguson,

• Moore, Arnott (Murray 64), Cooper (Graham 76), McCarvel, Davidson 

• Subs (not used): Adamson; Leitch, Snoddy, Thomas

• Scorers: none

• Booked: Ferguson (78)

• Sent Off: none